Picnic At Hanging Rock Series Review: A Compelling Mystery With A Killer Cast

Amazon Prime just released the six episode series "Picnic At Hanging Rock". It's based on a Joan Lindsey novel and tells the story of four people (3 teenage girls and their teacher) who disappear on a school outing on Valentine's Day 1900. There was also a popular 1975 movie about the topic. It is suggested that the events are true but no conclusive evidence can be found.

Instead of treating this as an ID channel episode of "Missing", the series devolves into some sort of trippy fantasy. We learn a bit of each character's back story. The strict standards of the Victorian era are forced upon them. They must prepare to find a suitable husband and take their place in society.

But not everyone wants to play this game. Are the women innocent young virgins or something else entirely? Did the girls plan an escape? Did they make a pact to commit suicide? Did they cross through an interdimensional portal? Were they kidnapped and sold into slavery?

It is a fact that "something" is going on at the rock. Watches stop. Apparently this is due to the prominence of lead in the formations. There is a strange pink cloud and mysterious sounds. Aboriginals are wary to stay after dark. They say spirits roam free there.

The cast of the show is exceptional. Natalie Dormer knocks it out of the park as the frightening headmistress Hester Appleyard. I've known she was a great actress since "The Tudors" and later in "Game Of Thrones". She really shines in "Picnic At Hanging Rock" though. I am equal parts hypnotized by and terrified of her. Hester's life begins to unravel after the disappearances. Many parents take their daughters out of school. She also becomes paranoid that her past is back to haunt her.

There rest of the cast is none too shabby either. Most of the characters are female (due to the setting at an all girls school). The missing women are: The untameable free spirit Miranda (Lily Sullivan), the daughter or a judge and an aboriginal woman Marion (Madeleine Madden), and probable lesbian math teacher Miss Greta McGraw (Anna McGahan). There's also heiress Irma Rothchild (Samara Weaving). She was initially missing with the others but strangely shows up nine days later. I wont mention that she really could NOT have survived that long without water (since no one asked me). She pretends to like the other girls but also has a dark side. I wouldnt be surprised if she didnt push them off a cliff.

A young student named Sara Waybourne is taken under Miranda's wing. She is not permitted to go to the picnic. There's also a strong group of teachers including French teacher Mademoiselle Poitiers and Bible teacher Miss Lumley (yes, that is Yael Stone from "Orange Is The New Black").

A LOT of unresolved sexual energy is simmering under the surface of this show. Besides the Marion/Greta possible relationship, we also have several images of the three girls taking off their clothes and sleeping in a big heap. Irma kisses Miranda and tries to take it further but is spurned. There's also a very sexual vibe between the two young men hunting for the girls. I dare say Victoria Australia was never this sexy IRL.

Grade: 4 3/4 Monsters (out of 5). With beautiful cinematography, a great mystery and excellent performances, "Picnic At Hanging Rock" is definitely worth a watch. Natalie Dormer should win some awards for her frightening portrayal as Mrs Appleyard. We will never know for sure. what happened at Hanging Rock If I had to guess I would say they fell into a cave (and were never discovered by rescuers).