First They Killed My Father

Between everything competing for your attention, First They Killed My Father in Australia on Netflix, and in the US on Netflix is worth clearing space for. The length is exactly right for the story it is telling — nothing rushed, nothing dragged out. 719 viewers have already rated it on TMDB — the kind of consensus that does not happen by accident. Sareum Srey Moch sets the tone, and the rest of the cast matches it scene for scene. Put it on tonight on Netflix and see for yourself.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, First They Killed My Father earns its spot. First They Killed My Father trusts its audience to sit with discomfort instead of resolving it too quickly. A 5-year-old girl embarks on a harrowing quest for survival amid the sudden rise and terrifying reign of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. Sareum Srey Moch and Phoeung Kompheak lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2017. The writing trusts the audience to sit with ambiguity rather than wrapping everything up in a tidy conclusion — it is the approach that separates good drama from great. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

Drama fans who appreciate slow-burn storytelling will feel right at home with First They Killed My Father. It has built its own audience without needing a direct comparison. Short enough to finish in one sitting, substantial enough to feel satisfying. Sareum Srey Moch is the centre of it, and it is one of their strongest performances on record. The patience it asks of you early on is paid back with interest.

First They Killed My Father was released in 2017, directed by Angelina Jolie. The full 136-minute film is available to watch now. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.