The Empty Beach (1985): cast, story & where to watch
1985 · Film · ★ 4.5
Released in 1985, The Empty Beach is a thriller film directed by Chris Thomson, running about 85 minutes. “Cliff Hardy - One Man Against Sydney's Underworld” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Before shady businessman John Singer disappeared off Bondi Beach, his name meant money--big and small, clean and dirty--a man absorbed in a world of greed and dishonesty. Singer's widow, Marlon, believes he's still alive and she employs the investigative skills of the tough, no-nonsense private eye, Cliff Hardy (Bryan Brown) to find him. Battered and bruised, Hardy battles through the filth of corruption and the stench of political blackmail. He comes face to face with the crime bosses, who feed off human misery and eliminate their rivals without thinking twice. From the high life and low life of Sydney, to the seediness and splendour of Bondi Beach, Cliff Hardy uncovers the ultimate truth.
Who’s in it. The Empty Beach stars Bryan Brown as Cliff Hardy, Anna Maria Monticelli as Anne Winter, Ray Barrett as MacLeary and John Wood as Parker, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 4.5/10, The Empty Beach has proved divisive with audiences.
Where to watch. In AU you can stream it on Amazon Prime Video, Foxtel Now and Amazon Prime Video with Ads. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Empty Beach page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Empty Beach tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, Pulp Fiction, Parasite and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Empty Beach (1985)?
- In AU, The Empty Beach is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, Foxtel Now and Amazon Prime Video with Ads. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Empty Beach worth watching?
- The Empty Beach holds an audience score of 4.5 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy thriller. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Empty Beach?
- The Empty Beach stars Bryan Brown, Anna Maria Monticelli, Ray Barrett, John Wood and Belinda Giblin.
- When was The Empty Beach released?
- The Empty Beach was released in 1985, with a runtime of about 85 minutes.