FINAL FLICKS OF 2026
There’s no place quite like Deckchair Cinema where you can enjoy Darwin’s unmatched sunsets, friendly possums and good tucker. But you’d better get in if you want your seaside flick fix, as the Deckie lights go dark for the Wet season.
WORDS BROOKE GIBBS
IMAGES PAZ TASSONE
WITH ONLY 15 more days left in this year’s season, make the most of the remaining films before you count the days ‘til the gates fling open next year, a surefire indication that the Dry has returned.
The 2026 season launched with a huge opening night, where Cannes International Film Festival award winner and Territory legend, Warwick Thornton, debuted his flick, Wolfram, filmed entirely in Mparntwe/Alice Springs.
One highlight of the year for General Manager James Parker, was the Alliance Française French Film Festival.
“The event has been growing each year, and I think we’ve hit this really great stage where Alliance Française de Darwin, the national festival, and Deckchair are putting together an amazing event,” Parker says.
The Deckie isn’t your typical movie theatre. If the outdoor location and food trucks didn’t already win you over, the Deckie has hosted many Q&As where film lovers can hear directly from the people who made the film.
“A few highlights would be hearing from Kasimir Burgess about his documentary, Iron Winter, which he shot in Mongolia in the middle of winter. It sounded like the most amazing adventure,” Parker says.
Another highlight was having Muzafar Ali back at the cinema with We Are Not Powerless. He’s such a good public speaker and just the nicest guy.”
In September, the Deckie was home to the Darwin International Film Festival (DIFF), celebrating the best of cinema from many different cultures.
“Over 11 Top End nights, we screened the absolute best of world cinema and welcomed two international special guests – a first for the Festival,” Parker says.
There’s no doubt that the Deckie is one of the most unique places to catch a flick, not just in Darwin, but in the world. There aren’t many places around the globe where the weather is so predictable that you could plan seven months of back-to-back screenings.
“Combine that with the stunning location, our not-for-profit structure, the alternative film programming and even mouth-watering catering every night, it’s pretty awesome,” Parker says.
“The program this year has been fantastic. Although we call it alternative, it’s better described as a mix of the best of the best from each genre – the best world cinema, the best Australian films, award-winning documentaries, etc. A programming committee does a fantastic job putting it all together into the four programs that we print through the season.”
The season ends with The Fox, a wildly inventive Australian fantasy comedy from writer and director Dario Russo.
Nick is the good-natured heir to a wealthy rural landowner, but his comfortable life unravels when he discovers that his fiancée, Kori, is cheating on him. Desperate to repair their relationship, he captures a rogue talking fox, who offers him an extraordinary bargain. If Nick lets her live, she will reveal a magical hold capable of transforming Kori into the perfect partner.
Nick follows The Fox’s advice, and the woman who emerges appears to be everything he ever wanted. As Kori develops a series of increasingly strange quirks, however, he begins to wonder whether perfection was worth the price.
Starring Jai Courtney and Emily Browning, with Olivia Colman as the voice of The Fox, it’s a darkly funny and unpredictable modern folktale about love, control and the danger of getting exactly what you wish for. According to Parker, it’s the perfect film to close out a great year.
“It felt irresistible. I’ve been a huge Olivia Colman fan since she was in the British sitcom Peep Show. It’s been amazing seeing her evolve into the Hollywood juggernaut she is now. That, and having Sam Neill’s voice as The Magpie, a hot November night seemed like the right way to see out the year,” he says.
While we patiently wait for the gates to open again for the 2027 season, Parker says he’s happy with how 2026 shaped up.
“We’re just so happy that so many people are enjoying the cinema. Deckchair is on track to welcome over 50,000 people through the gates this year. As for next year, we always have ideas on how to move forward, but really, we’d be very happy with another year just like this one.”
Until next year, Deckie!
WHEN DAILY ‘TIL SUN 15 NOV
INFO deckchaircinema.com
