Australian films are sometimes known for their “left of centre” approach, and perhaps The Rover has elements of the unique Australian style, however with its cast and storyline, it has a consistently serious tone. In the dangerous future of the Australian desert, Eric played by Guy Pearce has left everything behind, but when his last possession is stolen by a gang of dangerous criminals, Eric sets off on a hunt to find them.
Along the journey which has been dubbed a futuristic western, Eric enlists the help of Rey played by Robert Pattinson, a naïve and injured member of the gang, who was abandoned by his group.
Directed by David Michôd who found critical acclaim with his debut film Animal Kingdom, David started working on his next screenplay, based on a story he conceived with fellow actor and filmmaker Joel Edgerton. The story is set in the near future, in Australia a decade after the collapse of the western economy where people from all over the world come to work in the mines.
Guy Pearce plays Eric, an embittered former Australian soldier who had seen the world around him collapse causing him to lose his family and his farm. His anger, fear and resentment in the world force him to violence. Eric finds himself paired with Rey (Pattinson) an outsider from southern America whose naivety has always seen him protected by those around him. Now abandoned by his gang which includes his own brother, he forms an uneasy alliance with Eric which is the first time Rey has ever felt alone and independent all at the same time.
Although certain to draw comparisons with the cult like film Mad Max, the Director said that, "You put cars in the desert in Australia and people are going to think of Mad Max, and with all due respect to that film — and I stress that — I think The Rover is going to be way more chillingly authentic and menacing."