IMDb 5 2018 HD

The Second

The Second

2018
Drama Thriller
94 min NR Australia
5.2 / 10
5 IMDB

The persona of a celebrated author is threatened when her best friend and muse reveals the dark secret behind her first novel's provenance, igniting an incendiary tale of…

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director Mairi Cameron / Andrew McInally / Aaron Dormer
Starring
Rachael Blake / Susie Porter / Vince Colosimo / Martin Sacks / Susan Prior / Megan Dale / Bridget Webb / Will Beasley

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

intense dramatic compelling tense thought-provoking character-driven intriguing dark emotional complex revealing sharp

Reviews

C
Clara Davies
Apr 9, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

The central conceit of 'The Second' – a writer’s secret exposed by her muse – is undeniably potent. Rachael Blake and Susie Porter engage in a compelling dramatic duel, their performances forming the core of the film. The…

A
Arthur Pendelton
Apr 9, 2026
4.5 / 5
4.5

A masterclass in simmering tension, 'The Second' is a tightly plotted drama that dissects the price of success. Rachael Blake is outstanding, conveying a complex mix of ambition and fear, while Susie Porter provides a magnetic, unsettling presence.…

G
Genevieve Dubois
Apr 9, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

This is a film that promises much with its premise of sex, lies, and betrayal, and for the most part, 'The Second' delivers a tense, character-driven drama. Rachael Blake anchors the narrative, portraying the author's vulnerability and desperation…

M
Marcus Thorne
Apr 9, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

'The Second' is a gripping exploration of artistic integrity and the corrosive power of secrets. Rachael Blake is formidable as the celebrated author whose carefully constructed life is threatened by a devastating truth revealed by her muse, played…

E
Eleanor Vance
Apr 9, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

Rachael Blake delivers a compelling performance as a writer whose world unravels in 'The Second'. The film thrives on its central premise: the exposure of a secret that underpins artistic creation and personal relationships. Susie Porter provides a…

FAQs

The provenance of the celebrated author's first novel is the central catalyst for the entire plot of 'The Second'. The revelation of its 'dark secret' by her best friend and muse triggers the film's core conflict. This secret not only threatens the author's career but also exposes the deep-seated lies and betrayals that have underpinned their relationship and the author's success.