IMDb 6.4 1982 HD

Heatwave

Heatwave

1982
Drama
91 min R Australia
4.9 / 10
6.4 IMDB

During a Christmas heatwave, a community activist attempts to stop a redevelopment project that is displacing residents in the Kings Cross section of Sydney.

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director Phillip Noyce / Therese O'Leary
Starring
Judy Davis / Richard Moir / Chris Haywood / Bill Hunter / John Meillon / Gillian Jones / Carole Skinner / John Gregg

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

urgent compelling dramatic relevant intense authentic thoughtful grounded powerful social commentary community spirit displacement

Reviews

S
Sylvia Grant
May 22, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

Set during a sweltering Sydney Christmas, 'Heatwave' (1982) is a character-driven drama that tackles the contentious issue of urban redevelopment. Judy Davis leads with a performance that is both nuanced and powerful, portraying the immense pressure on a…

M
Marcus Bellweather
May 22, 2026
4.5 / 5
4.5

A scorching critique of urban development, 'Heatwave' (1982) is a film that burns bright. Judy Davis is simply phenomenal as the unwavering activist fighting for her neighbourhood in Kings Cross, her performance radiating both fury and a deep…

C
Clara Holloway
May 22, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

This 1982 Australian production, 'Heatwave', presents a timely narrative about community resistance. Judy Davis delivers a committed performance as a woman fighting against the displacement of residents in Kings Cross due to a redevelopment project. The film effectively…

A
Arthur Finch
May 22, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

'Heatwave' from 1982 is a commendable piece of filmmaking that uses its setting to potent effect. The stifling Sydney heat becomes more than just a backdrop; it’s a character in itself, amplifying the desperation of a community activist,…

E
Eleanor Vance
May 22, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

The 1982 drama 'Heatwave' offers a potent slice of Australian social realism, set against the suffocating embrace of a Sydney Christmas heatwave. Judy Davis anchors the film with a performance of fierce conviction as a community activist battling…

FAQs

Viewers can expect a dramatic and often intense cinematic experience with 'Heatwave'. The film is grounded in a realistic portrayal of community activism and the pressures of urban development. The oppressive heatwave setting contributes to a palpable sense of atmosphere and urgency, heightening the stakes of the narrative. Performances are likely to be a strong point, with a cast that includes notable Australian talent. It's a film that aims to provoke thought and engage audiences with its depiction of social conflict and personal conviction.