Cinema Australia is thrilled to introduce readers to the ensemble cast of Matthew Holmes’ new film, The Sundowner. 

Telling the story of a war-scarred swagman who is forced on the run after becoming implicated in a brutal murder in the blistering outback of 1934, The Sundowner unites a large ensemble cast that blends award-winning Australian screen favourites with exciting emerging talent. 

Written and directed by Matthew Holmes, co-written by Aidan Phelan and lensed by award-winning cinematographer Peter Szilveszter, the film will deliver an unflinching, devastating and sun-drenched portrait of isolation and moral conflict set against an unforgiving landscape.

“In many ways, The Sundowner was a conscious return to the way I used to make films at the beginning of my career: heading out with a bunch of friends on weekends, minimal gear in the back of a car and just filming something we were all truly passionate about,” Holmes tells Cinema Australia. 

“It became about reconnecting with pure creativity again. Bigger productions can sometimes make you feel swallowed up by all the peripheral stuff and creative control is often lost. I needed to get back to the soul of why I started making films in the first place.”

Knowing this shoot would be demanding, with a long schedule and remote locations, Holmes tells Cinema Australia that it was really important to surround himself with people he trusted, both on screen and behind the camera. 

The lead role of Harry Mills was written specifically for Joshua Jaeger, an actor Holmes has wanted to collaborate with in a lead capacity since working with Jaeger in a supporting role in his feature debut, Twin River.

“I needed someone who could not only carry the whole film, but someone whose commitment to the project matched my own. That’s exactly what Josh brings to it,” said Holmes.

Anyone who has seen Holmes’ previous films like The Legend of Ben Hall and The Cost will know that authenticity is always a top priority for the filmmaker, who’s drawn to actors who genuinely look like they belong, rather than performers who carried a more modern edge or presence. 

“I started by reaching out to those I regularly collaborate with, because that shared trust and friendship means there’s an immediate shorthand on set and real creative confidence from the outset,” says Holmes. 

“I knew they’d bring their own ideas to the roles and could be relied on to make bold choices that served the story first. Secondly, I was really keen to tap into South Australia’s emerging talent so audiences could be fully drawn into this world. Fresh faces help make that immersion effortless. Some of our cast are stepping into feature roles for the first time, and that rawness felt perfect for a story filled with lost souls, desperation and survival,” Holmes tells Cinema Australia.  

“Watching everyone come together and breathe life into these characters has been incredibly rewarding. Their chemistry grew naturally and everyone absolutely brought their A-game. On set, there is a palpable sense that we were working on something quite unique and special.”

Independently-financed, shooting on The Sundowner has been spread over three blocks throughout 2025 across multiple locations in regional South Australia – including the Flinders Ranges, Burra, Bower, Tailem Bend, Rockleigh and Sunjive Studios in Hendon. 

With over 80% of the film now in the can, the fourth and final block of filming is being planned for early 2026 for an anticipated release later that same year. 

The Sundowner is being produced by Holmes along with producers Felipe Teplitsky, Russell Cunningham alongside executive producers Joshua Little, Ben Holgate, Joshua Jaeger, Andrew Mann, Silvio Salom, Kevin Dee and Adam Drummond.

JOSHUA JAEGER as Harry Mills

Haunted by memories of war and now abandoned by the society he once fought for, Harry Mills is portrayed by South Australian actor Joshua Jaeger, who steps confidently into the lead following supporting turns in Holmes’ earlier feature films Twin Rivers, The Biscuit Effect and The Legend of Ben Hall. His resume also includes guest appearances on Warwick Thornton’s Firebite and Rolf de Heer’s Dr Plonk. Jaeger brings a rugged, emotionally grounded presence to Mill’s tragic odyssey — and with his own family history deeply entrenched in the region, his connection to the land lends powerful authenticity to the character’s journey across the barren wilderness.

JACOB JUNIOR NAYINGGUL as Jarrah Katharra

Delivering a powerful breakout and AACTA award-winning performance in High Ground (2020), Nayinggul brings striking charisma and emotional depth to the role of fearless runaway Indigenous stockman Jarrah Katharra surviving a world steeped in prejudice and cruelty. Building on the strong creative partnership they forged on Holmes’ 2024 shark thriller Fear Below, Nayinggul brings his instinctive command of layered, conflict-driven storytelling and a rapidly expanding film résumé – and stands poised to become one of Australia’s defining First Nations performers of a new generation.

ARTHUR ANGEL as Jim “Polky” Polkinghorne

A towering presence in Australian and international cinema, Arthur Angel’s career spans major productions including Red Dog, The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Ghost Rider, Van Diemen’s Land, Mystery Road, Last King of the Cross and Metal Skin. He takes on the role of fast-talking drifter “Polky,” bringing sharp character nuance and lived-in authenticity to the ensemble. Having previously worked with Holmes on The Legend of Ben Hall and Fear Below, Angel provides a steady creative anchor to the cast, offering both experience and narrative gravitas.

MONIKA LAPKA as Eliza Lamshed

A fragile yet resilient woman living on society’s margins, Eliza represents those who endured the crushing realities of Depression-era rural life with quiet courage and unwavering kindness. Monika Lapka continues to emerge as one of South Australia’s most exciting new talents, boasting a rich background in local theatre and street performance. The Sundowner marks a major step forward in her screen career and reflects Holmes’ commitment to uncovering new voices while grounding performances in raw emotional authenticity.

DAMON HUNTER as Sgt. Evans

As the relentless officer determined to track down Harry Mills, Damon Hunter brings signature restraint and emotional subtlety to Sergeant Evans. Hunter previously collaborated with Holmes on The Cost, earning the Best Actor Award at the 2022 AFIN Awards for his performance. His return signals the continuation of their ongoing creative partnership, fuelled by a shared appreciation for morally complex, tension-driven storytelling and character studies that explore the darker shades of human nature.

FREYA TINGLEY as Eleanor Mason

With international screen experience across productions such as Once Upon a Time, Hemlock Grove and Clint Eastwood’s Jersey Boys, Freya Tingley continues her welcome return to Australian cinema following the critically acclaimed dark comedy Time Addicts. In The Sundowner, she portrays Eleanor, a young mother forced to risk everything to protect her children while secretly aiding fugitive Harry Mills. Tingley’s polished screen presence and emotional sensitivity deepen the film’s human stakes.

TERRY ROGERS as Reg Brinkworth

Well-known South Australian actor and television presenter Terry Rogers steps into the imposing role of ruthless cattle baron Reg Brinkworth. Rodgers’ screen work includes the indie feature Offside, alongside appearances in The Boys Are Back and Escape from Pretoria. His television career features long-running hosting roles on Channel 10’s What’s Up Downunder and Channel 9’s Building Ideas. As the film’s primary antagonist, Rogers reveals a hard-edged dramatic intensity audiences rarely see from the seasoned presenter.

BRENDAN COONEY as Constable Oxley

After early screen appearances in The Stranger and A Sunburnt Christmas, Cooney earned acclaim for his leading role in the taut 2024 indie thriller Within the Pines. Joining the ensemble as the burly and volatile Constable Oxley, Cooney further cements his standing as one of South Australia’s fastest-rising screen actors, with the fantasy-adventure Caliburn soon to follow.

NICK LAUNCHBURY as Frank Lamshed

South Australian performer Nick Launchbury plays Frank Lamshed, the brutal husband of Eliza. With more than 15 years of screen experience, Launchbury’s credits include Storm Boy, Get a Life, Mating Call, and most recently the indie thriller Within the Pines. His portrayal adds an unsettling volatility to the film’s depiction of domestic hardship and moral fracture.

KEVIN DEE as Tom Hobbs

Collaborating with Holmes for a third time following their work on the award-winning thrillers The Cost and Fear Below, reinforcing the sense of a close-knit creative troupe behind the film. Dee portrays a morally-bankrupt stockman Tom Hobbs, once again disappearing into a dark and complex performance to add to his diverse body of screen roles including Love, Tea & Epiphany, Out of Order, Westermark Effect and New Gold Mountain.

ADAM WILLSON as John Quimby

One of Holmes’ most frequent collaborators, Willson reunites with the director after Twin Rivers, Crooked, The Biscuit Effect, The Legend of Ben Hall and The Cost. He brings his distinctive humour and unpredictable screen energy to the role of misguided stockman John Quimby. Other credits include Preacher, The Family Next Door and McLeod’s Daughters, with audiences never quite knowing where or how his next memorable performance might appear.

CHRIS KOCH as Mary

Chris Koch portrays Mary, a world-weary character who offers moments of warmth, reflection and an aching insight into the emotional scars carried by those who lived through the Great War. A familiar face in Adelaide performing circles for many years, Koch has appeared across television commercials, series, features and shorts. Her credits include McLeod’s Daughters, The Way, Raising the Bar, Dreaming, and Blood City.

WILL HODGSON as Douglas

Making a striking feature film debut, Hodgson appears as Douglas, a youthful troublemaker whose reckless energy underscores the film’s themes of desperation and lost direction. His casting reinforces The Sundowner’s ongoing commitment to discovering raw, emerging talent.

DARREN HOLMES as Sgt. Hailstone

Reuniting with his brother and director Matthew Holmes nearly two decades after appearing in his feature debut Twin Rivers in 2007, Darren Holmes returns to the screen as the dogged and determined Sergeant Hailstone — the officer officially tasked with bringing Harry Mills to justice. Holmes’ involvement comes full circle, adding a personal and historical resonance to the production while strengthening the film’s thematic exploration of cold justice and moral duty.

JOE ROMEO as Duncan

Fresh from his work in the upcoming post-apocalyptic thriller The Run opposite Callan Mulvey, South Australian actor Joe Romeo continues his rapid ascent as one of the state’s most promising emerging screen talents. His growing résumé includes notable roles in Jimpa, Talk to Me, Firebite, Awoken and The Hunting, showcasing his versatility across both genre-driven and character-focused storytelling.

CONNOR PULLINGER as Spence

Connor Pullinger is a rising new talent whose award-winning short film This Is Fine was officially selected for the 2024 Cannes Film Festival — a major milestone that has marked him as an exciting new screen voice. His role in the upcoming comedy feature Dropbear, along with appearances in the hit 2019 television series The Hunting, demonstrates both his range and growing screen confidence.

NICHOLAS CHAMPION as Kenneth

Nicholas Champion makes his feature film debut in The Sundowner as Kenneth, another young man shaped, and scarred, by the unforgiving hardships of Depression-era Australia. His character completes the volatile trio of youths whose reckless actions intersect with Harry Mills’ spiralling journey, adding further tension and youthful volatility to the evolving narrative.

JAMES SULLIVAN as Constable Mottershead

South Australian actor James Sullivan stars as the corrupt Constable Mottershead, adding a further layer of moral ambiguity to the complex world of The Sundowner. His work spans both film and television, with appearances in With or Without You, The Water Diviner, Pine Gap, and the award-winning series Anzac Girls.

CHERYL DOUGLAS as Beverley

Cheryl Douglas portrays a woman struggling on the brink of poverty, a fate shared by so many during the unforgiving years of the Great Depression. Douglas has spent years building an extensive body of work across short films, with roles in both The Sundowner and Within the Pines continuing her transition into feature films.

VINCENT DONATO as Constable Yarrow

Australian actor Vincent Donato will appear as Mounted-Police trooper Constable Yarrow. On screen since the early 2000s, Donato is recognised for emotionally intense, grounded performances across both film and television. Most recently, he played the lead role in the 2025 psychological drama-thriller Locker, where his commanding presence and emotionally raw performance helped ground the film’s themes of claustrophobia and inner conflict.

PATTY GLAVIEUX as Constable Critchley

One of the busiest screen résumés in Australian independent cinema, Patty Glavieux joins The Sundowner as Constable Critchley. Across a career spanning more than 40 screen productions, Glavieux has built a reputation for delivering performances charged with both raw intensity and emotional vulnerability. His work includes upcoming features Dropbears and The Last Grind.

DAVID JOHN KELLY as Constable Bailey

Filmmaker and actor David John Kelly steps into the role as Constable Bailey. His previous credits include the science-fiction feature Infini and short films such as No Fury and Shift. He is currently filming scenes on NCIS Sydney.

If you enjoy Cinema Australia as much as I loved publishing it, please consider supporting Cinema Australia’s commitment to the Australian screen industry via a donation below.

I strive to shine a light on Australian movies, giving voice to emerging talent and established artists.

This important work is made possible through the support of Cinema Australia readers.

Without corporate interests or paywalls, Cinema Australia is committed to remaining free to read, watch and listen to, always.

If you can, please consider making a contribution. It takes less than a minute, and your support will make a significant impact in sustaining Cinema Australia as the much-loved publication that it is.

Thank you.

Matthew Eeles
Founder and Editor.

Make a donation here.