Mystery Road: Origins Review – A Gritty Outback Prequel Worth Watching

In 2013, Ivan Sen wrote and directed a crime drama with neo-western elements entitled Mystery Road, which was followed up in 2016 with the film Goldstone. After these two films, a prequel series was created based on these movies. That series was entitled Mystery Road Origins.

Now Acorn Media International has released this series on streaming and DVD. Now whether you enjoy streaming your series or enjoy the physical media releases. Acorn Media International has you covered all the way around.

Season 1 Synopsis: Taking place between the events of the films Mystery Road and Goldstone, Mystery Road Season 1 tells the story of Detective Jay Swan (Aaron Pedersen), assigned to investigate the mysterious disappearance of two young farmhands on an outback cattle station, one a local Indigenous football hero and the other a white backpacker. Working together with local police sergeant Emma James (Judy Davis), the investigation uncovers drug trafficking in the town, and a past injustice that threatens the fabric of the whole community.

Season 2 Synopsis: Jay Swan has to unravel the mystery of a decapitated body that turns up in the mangroves, outside the town of Broome. The plot involves drug trafficking and an archaeological dig that discovered the dead body. Swan's ex Mary, is involved with an undercover drug runner, placing her in extreme danger.

Many might feel anxious about this series, especially after the success of the movies and casting a new, younger actor in the title role. Well, Mystery Road: Origins excels with great writing and strong acting performances. The gritty cinematography really brings this series to life. Taking you right into the middle of this crime drama.

Each of these season are abridged. They run a mere 6 episodes each. A total of 12 episodes in the series. It was so good that it really deserved more episodes than this. But this series is so rewatchable. You will enjoy it time and time again. 

Season 1: Gone / Blood Ties / Chasing Ghosts / Silence / The Waterhole / The Truth

Season 2: The Road / The Flare / Artefacts / Broken / To Live with the Living / What You Do Now

The episodes have been transferred to DVD and are presented in widescreen format. The audio track is an English Dolby Digital track. There are also English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.

These episodes are crisp and clean with no signs of damage. Season 2 DVD bonus features include a Making of featurette and a picture gallery.  

If you enjoy a good crime drama, well, Mystery Road: Origins is for you. And you don't need to see the original movies to enjoy this series. It is a standalone one. Mystery Road Origins can be streamed on Acorn TV and you can own the Mystery Road Origins Season 2 on DVD by heading over to Amazon.



Out of 4 TV Sets (4 being the best) Mystery Road Origins receives.....