Winner Best Narrative Feature, Dark Matters, Austin Film Festival, 2025
Official Selection,Cleveland International Film Festival, 2026
Official Selection, Beyond Fest Chicago, 2026
Official Selection, Panic Fest, 2026
Fantastic Film Prize Nominee, Fantastic Fest Australia, 2026
Fundos Young Talents Award, Pucela Fantástica, 2026
Official Selection, Octopus Film Festival, 2026
"extraordinary...one hell of a debut film" - CHUCKTHEMOVIEGUY
"Cruel Hands is an edge-of-your-seat thriller, but more importantly, it is an emotionally devastating examination of trauma, survival, and parenthood. Al Kalyk has announced himself as a filmmaker worth watching, and I can't wait to see what he does next." - Cinedump
"One Hell of a Stunner" - HIGH ON FILMS
“Austere, urgent, unsettling, Cruel Hands will have you sitting on the edge of your seat.” - Hudson Sowada, Fantastic Film Fest Australia
“I left the theater shaken but in awe. A raw, compelling film that shows both the terror and the resilience of survival. Cruel Hands isn’t easy to watch, but it’s unforgettable.” - Laurie Coker, True View Reviews
“"Call it horror. Call it a thriller. Call it dark drama. One thing's for sure, it’s one hell of a debut feature." - Blood Brothers Films
Amid the worst bushfires in Australia’s history, Maria and her son Dai escape a violent and abusive husband and make their way to an abandoned farmhouse. While keeping hidden, Maria tries to create a new home for Dai, as Jason, the police, and the fires rage toward them. In a climactic battle, the fate of Dai is fought over by two damaged and traumatised parents, with deadly consequences.
Select Theatres and Online here
BELMORE PICTURES PRESENTS IN ASSOCIATION WITH DARK SKY FILMS, A FILM BY AL KALYK WRITTEN BY AL & MATTHEW KALYK PRODUCED BY AL KALYK & ASHLEY MCLEOD DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY CHARLIE COLE PRODUCTION DESIGN ELEANORA STEINER MUSIC BY ALVIDREZ EDITED BY TUCKER MORRISON & PHILIP HORN EXECUTIVE PRODUCER GRANT HARDIE KRISTIAN MOLIERE
STARRING MAVOURNEE HAZEL, DIESEL LA TORRACA, JOSH MCCONVILLE, HARRY GREENWOOD, GENEVIEVE LEMON, IOLANTHE, CHARLOTTE FRIELS, MAX CATTANA, JACK SACKS, ANA BENHAM, CHRIS NGUYEN, GLENDA KALYK, JESSE TURNER, JAN MULVIHIL, JOHN MULVHIL, AND GEORGINA SYMES.
