The popular web series How to Talk Australians has made the leap to the big screen, delivering a satirical take on Australian culture that hits close to home. The film, adapted from the YouTube series, follows students and teachers from the fictitious Delhi College of Linguistics as they embark on a study tour to Australia. Directed by Tony Rogers, co-creator of the Australian series Wilfred, the movie cleverly uses an outsider perspective to lampoon the quirks of Australian life.
A Satirical Look at Australian Culture
The film's central premise is to present Australia as the rest of the world imagines it: a sun-baked frontier populated by beer-swilling locals, giant fruit-shaped buildings, and a barely comprehensible dialect. While this may seem exaggerated, the humour resonates because it carries an uncomfortable ring of truth. The creators draw on deep knowledge of Australian culture, positioning the satire through an external lens that allows for sharp commentary.
Characters and Performances
Vikrant Narain shines as Dean Devdan, the comic centre of gravity, wandering through scenes with a dazed, stoner-like energy. Rohan Ganju also impresses as Chester, whose easy-going presence suits the material. The cast never appears to be working too hard for laughs, which enhances the film's authenticity. One memorable moment sees Chester declaring his love for an Australian woman named Karen, praising her for introducing him to meat pies, AFL, and casual racism – a rich cultural stew indeed.
Plot and Humour
The story begins at the run-down Delhi College of Linguistics, where Devdan promises the class an authentic tour involving outback bushmen and a giant pineapple. After a storm diverts their flight to Dubbo, the group encounters a series of filthy two-bit locations: motels, caravan parks, and roadside diners serving local delicacies like Chiko Rolls. When asked what's in these deep-fried tubes, a staff member famously responds, “I don’t know. Nobody knows.”
Interspersed throughout are short, entertaining snippets from faux educational videos that unpack Australian peculiarities, such as the confusing array of beer glass sizes – pots, pints, schooners, middies, ponies, and jugs. These moments keep the pace bouncy as the characters roll into random scenarios and encounter more of the country's most terrifying creatures: the locals.
Climax and Verdict
The film builds towards an enjoyably daffy climax involving an airborne emergency, where a student must tap into hidden reserves of strength expressed through the timeless declaration: “We’re not here to fuck spiders.” While some may argue the film is a one-trick pony, the shtick never gets old, and the humour remains fresh throughout. How to Talk Australians: The Movie is a must-see for fans of Australian satire, offering a hilarious and uncomfortably truthful look at the nation's culture.
The movie is now showing in Australian cinemas from 11 June.
