Travis Johnson Blunt Magazine Aug 26, 2025

It was transformative, alright; Chopper turned Bana from a light entertainer into a serious dramatic actor overnight, a swerve impossible to predict even with 20/20 hindsight.

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Stephen Romei The Australian Aug 21, 2025 3.5/5

This movie was Bana’s breakthrough and he is mesmerising.

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Victoria Luxford City AM Apr 4, 2022 5/5

The type of gritty independent film that isnt made anymore, besides the odd self-conscious copycat. Chopper is still delightful cinematic anarchy, with Bana offering a masterful performance that he hasnt matched since.

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John Townsend Starburst Mar 29, 2022 3/5

Chopper is an intriguing film, one that challenges the viewer through unpredictable, often excessive violence set against a palate of folksiness and sporadic black humour.

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Andy Lea Daily Express (UK) Mar 28, 2022 5/5

Wisely, the film doesn't attempt to find a psychological explanation, instead playing it for black comedy.

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Dulcie Pearce The Sun (UK) Mar 25, 2022 4/5

It’s violent and shocking, but darkly funny.

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Kevin Maher The Times (UK) Mar 25, 2022 4/5

This biographical drama about the exploits and prison years of the Australian criminal Mark “Chopper” Read, is a must watch for students of screen acting.

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Peter Bradshaw Guardian Mar 23, 2022 5/5

Chopper is a great film.

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Leigh Paatsch Herald Sun (Australia) Oct 29, 2021 4.5/5

At the very least, if the movie has you asking "why would I even give this ugly excuse for a human being the time of day?", then it has truly done its job.

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Amy Bracken Sparks Cleveland Free Times Oct 26, 2021 3/4

The film ends on a surprisingly poignant note, making this film a car wreck worth ogling all the way through. If you like your prison dramas bloody and black with humor, this is for you.

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Tom Ryan The Age (Australia) Aug 27, 2021 4/5

The film's strategic blend of comedy and cruelty is constantly unsettling, simultaneously inviting us to laugh at Read's antics and then rubbing our faces in their outcomes.

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Alexandra Heller-Nicholas ABC Radio (Australia) Aug 25, 2021 5/5

Chopper is more than a vehicle for Bana's extraordinary performance; it's an immaculately crafted masterpiece of Australian cinema that feels as fresh, energetic and provocative today as it was the day it was released.

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Andrew F. Peirce The Curb Jan 21, 2021

This is a masterpiece of a film, a sign that Australian cinema can reach monstrous heights of glory.

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A.S. Hamrah The Baffler Sep 16, 2020

Chopper presents the criminal underworld of Melbourne and its maximum-security prison as staggeringly dangerous and insane.

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Kaleem Aftab The List Apr 16, 2019 4/5

A savagely funny voyage through the rationale of a criminal mind.

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Blake Howard 2UE That Movie Show Jan 18, 2015 5/5

It's an all too frequent occurrence to see the phrase 'instant classic' bandied about; Chopper was appropriately adorned with that title.

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Mark Halverson Sacramento News & Review Aug 7, 2008 2/5

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Joe Lozito Big Picture Big Sound Dec 27, 2007 3/4

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Jason Gorber Film Scouts Jun 21, 2007 A

The script for the film is taught, telling the story quickly and with fresh and funny dialogue.

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Pablo Villaça Cinema em Cena Feb 4, 2004 4/5

Apesar de soar incompleto, o filme jamais deixa de fascinar graas atuao magistral de Eric Bana - que, em vrios momentos, me fez lembrar do jovem Robert De Niro.

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