IMDb 5.2 2015 HD

Dawn

Dawn

2015
Drama Thriller
90 min NR Australia
3.8 / 10
5.2 IMDB

A woman running from a terrible truth hides out in a remote hills town with her young daughter until her past catches up with her and an impossible…

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director Christopher Houghton
Starring
Leeanna Walsman / Matt Day / Lisa Flanagan / John Crouch / Onor Nottle / Emily Brown / Greg Hatton / Shane Connor

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

tense atmospheric maternal isolated dramatic compelling unsettling grounded resilient gripping slow burn reflective

Reviews

P
Penelope Hayes
Apr 19, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

In 'Dawn', Leeanna Walsman anchors the narrative with a performance that captures the quiet desperation of a woman trying to escape her history. The film’s strength lies in its ability to create a mood of unease, amplified by…

A
Arthur Finch
Apr 19, 2026
4.5 / 5
4.5

This is Australian filmmaking at its most compellingly understated. 'Dawn' is a masterclass in building tension, a slow burn that ignites with the force of a mother’s primal instinct. Leeanna Walsman is simply outstanding, conveying a universe of…

S
Sophia Chen
Apr 19, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

'Dawn' presents a familiar premise – a woman hiding with her child from a dark past – but imbues it with a palpable sense of dread. Leeanna Walsman carries the emotional weight of the film, her performance a…

M
Marcus Bellweather
Apr 19, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

A taut and gripping exploration of a fugitive's desperate bid for peace, 'Dawn' succeeds through its potent atmosphere and committed performances. Leeanna Walsman is superb as a woman wrestling with a past she cannot outrun, her portrayal etched…

E
Eleanor Vance
Apr 19, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

Leeanna Walsman delivers a quietly intense performance as a mother on the run in 'Dawn'. The film’s strength lies in its atmospheric portrayal of isolation; the remote Australian landscape becomes a character in itself, mirroring the protagonist’s internal…

FAQs

'Dawn' delves into profound themes of maternal instinct, the burden of secrets, and the search for sanctuary. The protagonist's flight from a 'terrible truth' underscores the weight of past actions and the desire for a fresh start, particularly for her child. The film examines the lengths to which a mother will go to protect her offspring, even when confronted by her own history. The isolated setting further accentuates the feeling of being trapped, forcing a confrontation with unresolved issues and the sacrifices that might be necessary.