Katrina is a 19-year-old single mother with sinister plans. She navigates a world rife with petty crime, fast cars, manicures, and casual relationships. A skilled manipulator of men, Katrina resides with her lethargic father in the suburban area of Golden Grove, Sydney. Determined to get her way, Katrina will even resort to murder. When her father contemplates reaching out to Social Services to take custody of her child, she devises a plan that will not only cause chaos in the suburb but also catapult her to a level of infamy beyond her wildest expectations.
The story is loosely inspired by the heinous crimes committed by Mark Valera, who was responsible for the deaths of Frank Arkell and David O'Hearn. Additionally, it draws parallels with his sister, Belinda van Krevel, and her then-partner Keith Schreiber, who were involved in the murder of Jack van Krevel.
2006 Australian Film Institute Awards: Best Direction (Paul Goldman), Best Supporting Actress (Genevieve Lemon), AFI Young Actor Award (Mia Wasikowska), Best Original Screenplay (Alice Bell), Best Editing, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, Best Sound.
Suburban Mayhem grossed $342,600 at the box office in Australia.[3]
Critical reception
Suburban Mayhem has received mixed reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a "rotten" rating of 20%, based on 5 reviews, with an average rating of 4/10.[4] Film scholar Bruno Starrs has critiqued the film with regard to Barbara Creed's notion of the "maternal feminine" monster.[5]
