What we flagged
View all categoriesOur take
Southerly is an adult drama about Ada escaping Melbourne lockdown for a quiet coastal stretch, then pulling a reluctant neighbour into recording sessions. The classified cut flags strong themes, coarse language, and drug use, with moderate sexual content and no violence focus. Alcohol dependence and messy intimacy sit inside the isolation story. We land at MA 15+ and up because the mature relationship material and substance use match a restricted adult drama
Uplifting themes
Making art together becomes a path out of a wasted year. Change comes through uneasy honesty more than a tidy speech Flawed adults still choose craft and accountability by the end stretch. Role models here are messy, which suits the story
Story (may spoil tone)
Southerly follows Ada, a young and impulsive musician who flees Melbourne's 2020 lockdown for a coastal property in rural NSW. There, she meets Josh, a washed-up musician living across the road. Sensing an opportunity to reclaim what has already been a disappointing year, Ada persuades the reluctant Josh to help her record music.Through uneasy collaboration and shared isolation, Ada and Josh are forced to challenge each other as well as themselves, ultimately finding the opportunity for the change they both need.
Details
Language Coarse language is strong enough to help drive the MA rating across hea…
Coarse language is strong enough to help drive the MA rating across heated creative sessions. Arguments between the musicians carry most of the swearing
Sex / nudity Sexual content lands at a moderate level in the classified cut of this…
Sexual content lands at a moderate level in the classified cut of this adult drama. Intimacy is part of the isolation story rather than a teen romance
Drugs / alcohol Ada's growing dependence on alcohol is built into the setup, with drug…
Ada's growing dependence on alcohol is built into the setup, with drug use flagged in the rating advice. Substance use is a real pressure in the house, not background garnish
Mental health Lockdown loneliness and creative burnout push both musicians hard. The…
Lockdown loneliness and creative burnout push both musicians hard. The film treats stuckness and impulsivity as emotional weather around the music
Flashing lights We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
Family watch notes
What other parents think.
Be the first family to leave a watch note.
Talk after watching
- Ada and Josh push each other while both feel stuck. How can collaboration help someone change without becoming control?
- Lockdown loneliness drives risky habits in the story. What healthier ways can people reconnect when the world shuts down?
Ask ClearAge
Southerly
Ask about this guide, or name another film to open its ClearAge page.