Rating: 3.5 out of 4 Running Time: 117 minutes This HBO Original documentary debuted Oct. 8 and is now available to stream on Max. We’ve all seen or clicked past true crime documentaries like Dateline, which detail unusual murders and veer through a list of suspects before focusing in on the killer. The HBO Original documentary Last Stop Larrimah certainly contains elements of these shows, but definitely stands out as something quite unique. For one, the Australian desert locale is remote and visually striking. But perhaps most importantly, the gossipy residents interviewed are so outlandish that if this were a narrative feature, most would call them unbelievable. It all creates an intriguing, compelling mystery that engages throughout. Larrimah is a tiny town five hours south of Darwin in the Northern Territory outback. Once home to an army base and a railway stop, the story begins with the village now having a population of 11 people. Well, 11 after the disappearance of 70-year-old Paddy Moriarty, an Irish immigrant who disappeared along with his dog on Dec. 16, 2017. While Paddy is initially described as well-liked, the movie reveals that there were major feuds and threats of death brewing between all of the residents. Could Paddy have had a medical issue and have wandered out into the brush with his dog in a disoriented state? Before long, it is made clear that the cause behind him vanishing was likely sinister. The documentarians are granted complete access to almost all of the suspects, who are more than happy to discuss their relationship with Paddy and what might have occurred to him. All these individuals are great interviews and a large part of why the movie is so compelling. They make biting comments about Paddy and detectives working the scene, while many also dish out wild rumors and throw each other under the bus. The darkly humorous tone creates plenty of intrigue as it raises questions. Could it have been an unusual local who collects cans? A neighbor/enemy and meat pie shop owner, her ex-husband (who resides next door just to irritate the woman), or even her oddball gardener? Another major suspect is the nearby hotel/bar owner and his pet crocodile, along with a hard-drinking bartender. Not to mention local Fire Brigade volunteers who believe their daughter’s livelihood was burned to the ground years earlier. None of these individuals are young, and the stories they tell are quite remarkable in showing the slow dissolution of the town. Listening to them, one can’t help but think that the petty and bitter squabbles between the residents may have exacerbated the demise of the region. Curiously, as the never-ending investigation continues, the film makes clear that not having answers as to what happened is an incredibly heavy weight to bear (as is being a murder suspect in an unsolved case). And the passing years and illness does cause one or two to make a change and/or assess their life choices, admitting that their neighbors are, in a strange way, family. The town’s unusual spots are characters in themselves, particularly the bar that is home to a large crocodile (remarkably, it is revealed that the owner has a connection to famed Australian zookeeper Steve Irwin). For those wondering if an answer to the mystery is delivered, the movie climaxes with an audio recording that gives a convincing argument as to who the responsible party was. And despite the grimness to the story, the denouement also effectively tries to show a glimmer of hope for the future of the tiny town. The setting is strangely beautiful, the history of the small town is fascinating and the residents are compelling in their peculiarities. It all makes Last Stop Larrimah a wildly intriguing and memorable true crime documentary that makes a lasting impression. VISIT: WWW.CINEMASTANCE.COM
