Thibul Nettle’s The Shadows Of Trust Arrives In New Zealand Cinemas
by Thibul Nettle · SCOOPAboriginal Australian filmmaker Thibul Nettle brings his tense and emotionally charged psychological thriller The Shadows of Trust to Rialto Cinemas and select theatres across Aotearoa New Zealand this October, marking a significant moment for Indigenous-led cinema in the region.
Nettle, a Noongar storyteller whose work blends personal truth with genre filmmaking, steps into multiple roles as writer, director, producer and actor. The film follows Phoebe and Alex Clarke, a couple seeking a fresh start in a quiet rural home. Their attempt at rebuilding quickly unravels as unsettling events expose fractures in their relationship and force them to confront secrets they’ve tried to outrun. What begins as a domestic drama evolves into a gripping psychological thriller, driven by emotional authenticity and slow-burn tension.
The cast surrounding Nettle in The Shadows of Trust includes Sarah Jeavons, Georgia Williams and Trung Le, each contributing to the film’s claustrophobic atmosphere and escalating sense of distrust. Produced by Tracey Romano of Loyal T Productions and executive produced by Nick Buckland of Scuti Productions, the film has been praised for its intimate scale, grounded performances and willingness to explore manipulation, loyalty and trauma without resorting to spectacle.
The Shadows of Trust also arrives as the latest chapter in Nettle’s steadily expanding body of independent work. His previous films established him as a filmmaker drawn to intimate, character-driven stories that explore emotional vulnerability, cultural identity and the complexities of human relationships.
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He has also built a strong reputation in short-form storytelling, most notably through his award-winning film Second Chance and horror film Spithood. The latter has enjoyed success on streaming platforms, debuting in the top 10 across multiple services globally including Prime and Screambox; introducing Nettle’s work to an international audience. Both of those films co-starred Māori actress Luana Pohe in an artistic exchange between Aboriginal and Māori filmmakers.
Its arrival in New Zealand is also a milestone for Wirra Distribution, the first Aboriginal-owned distribution company in Australia, in their second new release to be released theatrically in Aotearoa.
The Shadows of Trust releases in Rialto Cinemas on the 8th of October, followed by Mercury Twin Cinemas and Regent Theatre on October the 15th.
For New Zealand audiences, this release offers a chance to experience a raw, character-driven thriller from a long-standing voice in truly independent Australian filmmaking.
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