Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.5

Gold Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf August 4, 2022

The insidious nature of greed drives the suspense of “Gold.” A dystopian survival tale from co-writer/director Anthony Hayes, the picture provides a spare overview of human suffering in a cruel world, which, I know, doesn’t sound like the greatest endorsement, as the feature is relentless in its grim atmosphere of paranoia. However, Hayes does create a gripping viewing experience that’s primarily about physical endurance, with star Zac Efron delivering a committed performance as a man just trying to make his way through the punishment of life, only to come into contact with a situation that could change everything. This reaction to the promise of easy money supports the endeavor, which largely remains in observation mode, extracting plenty of tension from seemingly mundane efforts of self-preservation.

In the near-future, Earth has been turned into a dried-up wasteland, with Virgil (Zac Efron) making his way across Australia, attempting to reach a distant outpost promising opportunity for those capable of making the journey there. Virgil hires Keith (Anthony Hayes), a driver willing to make the long trip, charging a fortune for his services. The men embark on a ride through the desert, left with nothing but each other as they try to converse, creating some familiarity to help pass the time. While rolling through a restricted area, an unexpected stop provides a surprising discovery, as Virgil manages to find a giant gold nugget buried deep in the sand. Shocked by the discovery and overwhelmed by what it could do for his miserable life, Virgil turns to Keith for help, but the two men are unable to extract the nugget by themselves. Off to retrieve an excavator for the job, Keith leaves Virgil in the wild, with the unprepared man facing challenges from the elements, wildlife, and The Stranger (Susie Porter) as he tries to stay alive long enough to get rich.

“Gold” presents a dystopia that doesn’t seem all that far off from the world we live in today. Water is limited to those who can find it, along with employment opportunities, inspiring Virgil to make his way to a remote outpost, clutching a flyer that promises a better tomorrow for those willing to find their way to the middle of nowhere. The sun is a beast, destroying skin, and Virgil has seen his share of trouble, bearing scars he prefers not to talk about. He’s a quiet man, on a journey he’s unprepared for, putting his trust into a piece of paper, and doing the same with Keith, a cantankerous driver who’s on the shady side, but he’s in possession of a car and he’s knowledgeable about the area. “Gold” provides early itchiness between the strangers, who are forced to deal with each other during the drive, and the writing (credited to Hayes and Polly Smyth) secures some sense of temperament without overdosing on exposition.

Small issues arrive to halt the drive, including a flat tire, but an overheated engine eventually stops forward progress completely, putting Virgil into contact with a massive gold deposit. A game of trust breaks out in “Gold,” finding Keith excited about the find, eager to retrieve an excavator and collect a fortune, keeping Virgil in mind as an equal partner, and one who elects to stay with the discovery to keep others from stealing it. “Gold” transitions into a survival story, as Keith provides some supplies and a satellite phone to maintain contact with Virgil, leaving him in the middle of a desert filled with dangers. The screenplay explores these challenges as the camper encounters scorpions and snakes, and there’s the unseen presence of wild dogs waiting for him to expire, eager to feast on his remains. Virgil creates shelter with help from pieces of a crashed airplane, and he deals with dwindling food and water, waiting patiently for updates from Keith, who periodically calls.

Gold Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.38:1 aspect ratio) presentation handles a movie that's almost exclusively about textures. Human fatigue, age, and decay are sharply defined throughout the viewing experience, preserving shocking character decline and the horror show of bodily disintegration. Makeup effects are open for study, and clothing retains tattered qualities. The vast location delivers depth, and rusty decoration and torn signage are also appreciable. Color is intentionally drained, preserving the dried-up world of "Gold," with desertscapes vivid. Skin tones are natural. Delineation is acceptable. Compression issues are common, with banding flaring up at times.

Gold Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix provides a direct understanding of dialogue exchanges, but the listening event is mostly about atmospherics, with the wide- open world providing various aural threats, including dust storms and barking dogs. Surrounds deliver decent activity, also pushing out scoring cues, which retain precise instrumentation, including some low-end bass.

Gold Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "The Making of 'Gold'" (16:57, HD) is an overview of production intent featuring interviews with co-writer/director Anthony Hayes, co-writer Polly Smyth, producers Michael and John Schwarz, and actors Zac Efron and Susie Porter. The themes of the feature are assessed, with Hayes looking to comment on "human disease," climate change, and greed. Remote locations are detailed, as cast and crew worked in punishing heat, with flies and dust a common nuisance. Efron's performance is praised, and Hayes's directorial vision is celebrated.

• A Trailer has not been included.

Gold Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Stranger enters the story at the hour mark, entering Virgil's space, blasting him with questions about his stay. "Gold" does well with human antagonism, giving Efron someone to play off of in a largely isolated part, selling the agony of mental and physical deterioration superbly (excellent makeup efforts are extraordinarily vivid). There's more to the work, as Hayes embraces a chance to participate in storytelling traditions, dealing with the true price of greed and games of trust, and he rides the endeavor into complete darkness, offering a haunting closer that precisely captures the tone of the movie. "Gold" isn't an easy sit, but it's assured filmmaking from Hayes, who's looking to the near future to address evergreen themes and human behaviors.