scott major – ALLIANCE OF WOMEN FILM JOURNALISTS

THE SERPENT’S SKIN – Review by Sarah Ward

March 26, 2026March 28, 2026 Sarah Ward Aaron Schuppan, Alice Maio Mackay, Benjamin Pahl Robinson, Charlotte Chimes, scott major, The Serpent’s Skin, Vera Drew

The Serpent’s Skin belongs to filmmaker Alice Maio Mackay first, then to her lead Alexandra McVicker, plus Avalon Fast as the latter’s love interest. Mackay’s knack for the ethereal and the sensual in her proudly transgender features, McVicker’s luminous tenderness and patience, Fast’s dynamic sense of assurance: potent individually and entrancing combined, they’re the ink that this dark fantasy romance is etched with. But it plays like a sign that two of the movie’s other cast members, Charlotte Chimes and Scott Major, each have long-running stints on former Australian TV mainstay Neighbours on their resumes — a positive one, no matter your connection to or affection for the recently cancelled Aussie serial, or lack thereof. While The Serpent’s Skin isn’t a soap opera or set in the Melbourne suburbs, it appreciates how infinitely more manageable and enjoyable life is when those around you are truly and committedly in your cul-de-sac or corner.

Reviews

LINE OF FIRE (aka DARKLANDS) – Review by Nadine Whitney

February 8, 2023February 9, 2023 Nadine Whitney australian films, Brett Cousins, christopher gist, crime genre, darklands, Line of Fire, Nadine Garner, Samantha Toij, scott major, Texas Watterson

Australia certainly has plenty of is crime stories. The best remember something essential – their setting. Line of Fire stretches reality into an edgy and over-the-top action film which relies on truly suspending all disbelief. In the space of one night (and a very twisted revenge story) Sam (Nadine Garner) drags Jamie (Samantha Toij) to hell. What would stretch credibility in an American film has zero credibility in an Australian one. The film could be viewed as a morality play, but that would be a generous interpretation of what it is, action exploitation.