Home » Entertainment » Arts and Entertainment » Thriller for cinephiles

Thriller for cinephiles

A NEW psychological thriller for cinephiles from Searchlight Studios, Nightmare Alley is in theatres now and opened at Showbiz Cinemas this week.

Coming from the creative genius of Guillermo del Toro, with a screenplay by del Toro and Kim Morgan, and produced by del Toro, Miles Dale and Bradley Cooper, who also stars in the film.

This dark thriller chronicles the rise and fall of an ambitious con man and serves as a cautionary moral tale of reckoning on how greed can drive a broken man to do unthinkable things.

Charismatic but down-on-his-luck Stanton Carlisle, played by Bradley Cooper, endears himself to clairvoyant Zeena, played by Australian Toni Collette, and her has-been mentalist husband Pete, played by David Strathairn, at a traveling carnival.

In so doing, Carlisle crafts a golden ticket to success, using this newly acquired knowledge to grift the wealthy elite of 1940s New York society.

With the virtuous Molly, played by Rooney Mara, loyally by his side, Stanton plots to con a dangerous tycoon, played by Richard Jenkins, with the aid of a mysterious psychiatrist, played by another Australian, Cate Blanchett, who might be his most formidable opponent yet.

Willem Dafoe, Ron Perlman and Mary Steenburgen also join the cast of award-winning actors.

The MA+ film will bring to life another of del Toro’s horrific stories, adding more emotional depth and complexity in the process.

Themes of the American dream, manipulation and redemption, this film promises to be one of the highlights of the summer.

Nightmare Alley is now showing at Showbiz Cinemas Swan Hill.

Digital Editions


  • More time for tiny towns

    More time for tiny towns

    THE smallest towns in Victoria have an extra month to apply for a Tiny Towns Fund grant to fund improvements. Between $5000 and $50,000 are…

More News

  • Support grows in regions

    Support grows in regions

    A REDBRIDGE federal poll released last week found One Nation’s primary vote had risen to 26 per cent, eight points lower than Labor (34) and seven points above the former…

  • Moulamein notes

    Moulamein notes

    Comedy act No, the Richmond footy team isn’t coming to town — but something just as exciting is. It’s not often we see an international comedy act roll through our…

  • Mass fish death

    Mass fish death

    AFTER further investigation into the fish deaths reported throughout the week near Menindee, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water has released a community update outlining its…

  • Back to school blessing

    Back to school blessing

    ANGLICAN NEWS It was great to have students and adults bringing symbols of their planned 2026 learning to be blessed on Sunday. Along with the blessing, Rev Julie gave appropriate…

  • SHDCA Round 12 Cricket Previews

    SHDCA Round 12 Cricket Previews

    Nyah District v RSL While last Saturday’s abandoned round has all but sealed reigning premier Nyah District’s fate, the Demons will still have plenty to play for when they host…

  • Training policy axed in council clash

    Training policy axed in council clash

    A COUNCILLOR training policy has been thrown in the bin, with one councillor labelling it an “overreach and a policy that we don’t need”. The policy was designed to formalise…

  • Homecoming to Mallee roots

    Homecoming to Mallee roots

    AFTER a lifetime of exhibiting and working in countries across the globe, woodturner and sophisticate Terry Martin has returned home. The internationally acclaimed artist grew up in the early 60s…

  • Design nominated for global award

    Design nominated for global award

    A SCHOOL shaped by care is now in the global spotlight. The redeveloped Swan Hill Specialist School, designed by WHDA, has been nominated for the 2026 ArchDaily Building of the…

  • Bursary backs students

    Bursary backs students

    TERTIARY students completing placements or intensive units in 2026 can now apply for up to $1000 in support through Country Universities Centre Mallee. CUC Mallee has received a $15,000 contribution…

  • Roundabout rut

    Roundabout rut

    SWAN Hill Rural City Council Mayor Stuart King is driving change when it comes to the condition of roads, hoping for a smoother start to 2026. Cr King has written…