Movie Review

True History of the Kelly Gang has no truth and few thrills

Australian outlaw Ned Kelly is one of those historical figures whose life story transferred into the mythical almost immediately upon his death in 1880. The exploits of Kelly and his henchmen have been used as the basis for multiple films, including starring turns by both Mick Jagger and Heath Ledger.

Now joining that list is True History of the Kelly Gang, based on the book of the same name, which makes no bones about how it is a fictionalized story based on Kelly’s life. Starring George MacKay as Kelly, the film almost goes the full cradle-to-grave approach.

It details Kelly’s rough childhood with mom Ellen (Essie Davis); his time with a two-bit criminal Harry Power (Russell Crowe); continuous taunting by local policeman Sgt. O’Neill (Charlie Hunnam); and eventually the forming of his own gang to oppose another law enforcement figure, Constable Fitzpatrick (Nicholas Hoult).

Written by Shaun Grant and directed by Justin Kurzel, the film revels in Kelly’s lurid story. Living in a shack in a desolate area of Australia, he and his family have nothing and their desperation gives him no opportunity to actually be a child. Those circumstances essentially dictate the rest of his life, as even when he tries to be good, his hand is forced by certain situations in which he finds himself.

The filmmakers take their time with each section, but somewhere in the second hour, they lose the thread of what they’re trying to say. They bounce around from scene to scene, taking shortcuts in an attempt to force connections that don’t organically form.

The biggest thing they never accomplish is building up the notoriety of Kelly and his gang. In fact, apart from one seemingly random murderous spree, the gang is never seen doing anything at all. The filmmakers spend tons of time trying to tell the audience exactly what kind of person Kelly was, and almost no time in showing why he was so feared.

A huge deal is made of the dresses that some of the henchmen wear during their crimes, and possible romantic feelings between Kelly and a male friend are hinted at several times. However, it’s unclear if the filmmakers are trying to make some larger point about gender identity and sexuality, or if these things are merely another way to show how wild the gang was.

MacKay is given free rein to go as over-the-top as he wanted, a technique that is almost diametrically opposed from his acclaimed role in 1917. His performance works at certain points, but it goes off the rails in the final act. Crowe and Hunnam do good work in limited roles, and Hoult is ideally cast in his smarmy role.

True History of the Kelly Gang was not limited by anything that happened in real life, but perhaps it needed some limitations to create a bit more clarity. The dreary mood of the film is set early on, and it never finds its way to any excitement or suspense.

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True History of the Kelly Gang is available on April 24 via digital streaming and cable platforms.

George MacKay in True History of the Kelly Gang.

George MacKay in True History of the Kelly Gang

Photo courtesy of IFC Films

George MacKay in True History of the Kelly Gang.

Weekend Event Planner

These are the 12 best things to do in Dallas this weekend

MOMIX: Botanica

Photo courtesy of MOMIX

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This weekend in and around Dallas serves as both the introduction to June and the last one before the monthlong extravaganza that will be the World Cup. Choices include five local theater productions, a music festival, two concerts, an opera, a dance production, a big-name comedian, and the final days of a fun charity event.

Below are the best ways to spend your free time this weekend. If you want more options, check out our calendar for an even longer list of the city's best events.

Thursday, June 4

Kitchen Dog Theater presents Venus
Breakups are never fun. It’s easy to romanticize all of the good times: stargazing, waxing poetic about literature, that instant spark the first time your hands brushed. It’s even easier to forget about all of the bad times, like when they ghosted you after the perfect first date, or that one time you woke up in a shallow grave. Venus is a pitch-black comedy in which two women learn that true love isn’t the only thing that bonds two people together … forever. The production runs through June 28 at Kitchen Dog Theater.

Rover Dramawerks presents Laura
When Mark McPherson first falls in love with Laura, he knows he’s in love with a phantom — for Laura is dead, and he’s in charge of her murder investigation. When she appears in the midst of a thunderstorm, very much alive after all, it is revealed that Laura’s best friend (and rival) was the true victim of the crime. But now, all the evidence seems to point to Laura’s guilt. Is Mark going to have to pin the crime on the woman he’s falling in love with? The production runs through June 20 at Cox Playhouse in Plano.

Friday, June 5

KHYI 95.3 The Range Radio presents Texas Music Revolution
The 30th annual Texas Music Revolution will feature over 75 bands on 15 stages throughout downtown McKinney. Performers will include Shane Smith & The Saints, Randall King, Ray Wylie Hubbard, William Beckmann, Shelby Stone, Austin Meade, Matt Hillyer, The O's, Katrina Cain, Jake Ryan, and more. The music festival takes place on Friday and Saturday.

Yellowcard in concert
Rock band Yellowcard is sneaking up on its 30th anniversary, having formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1997. Their breakthrough didn't come until 2003 with their fourth album, Ocean Avenue, setting up a run of four straight top 20 albums on the Billboard 200. They'll play at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory in support of their 2025 album, Better Days, their first new release in nine years.

Opera Arlington presents Carmen
Inspired by the upcoming World Cup, Opera Arlington’s production of Carmen will reimagine Bizet’s classic in the vibrant atmosphere of 1920s Spain during the euphoric aftermath of the Spanish national soccer team’s historic Olympic medal victory. Escamillo, a dashing star footballer, has charisma and bravado as formidable on the stage as on the pitch. Carmen, an itinerant Romani worker as spirited as she is free, entrances the rigid and tradition-bound soldier Don José, and their connection ignites like a match struck in the dark. There will be performances on Friday and Saturday at Trinity United Methodist Church in Arlington.

Theatre Arlington presents The Wiz
A beloved Broadway gem, The Wiz infuses L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz with a dazzling mix of rock, gospel, and soul music. The timeless tale of Dorothy’s adventures through the Land of Oz is a fun, family-friendly, modern musical. The production runs through June 21 at Theatre Arlington.

Richardson Theatre Centre presents Kong's Night Out
Kong's Night Out is the story of what happened in the hotel room next to the hotel room where Ann (played in the 1933 movie by Fay Wray) was whisked out of the bed and into the Manhattan night by King Kong. There's always a backstory. Myron Siegel is a low-end Broadway producer who desperately wants to be high end. Trouble is, he has, for his entire career, been sabotaged by his arch-rival, who is ultra-famous for making movies about scary jungle creatures. The production runs through June 28 at Richardson Theatre Centre.

Saturday, June 6

Junior Players presents PUP Fest
The 2026 edition of PUP Fest will highlight six plays written and performed by teenagers from across North Texas. A component of the Dallas Playwriting Arts Collective, a partnership between Junior Players, Kitchen Dog Theater, and the Dallas Independent School District, provides innovative programs and opportunities for high school playwrights. There will be two performances on Saturday at Dallas College Richland Campus.

TITAS/Dance Unbound presents MOMIX: Botanica
MOMIX is always a wild ride — trippy, magical, and downright unforgettable. Botanica is a stunning journey through the rhythms of the seasons, the ever-changing shapes of life on Earth in the magic of a single day unfolding. The show features jaw-dropping costumes, breathtaking projections, and larger-than-life puppets designed by the legendary Michael Curry. There will be two performances on Saturday at Winspear Opera House.

Martin Lawrence: Y’all Know What It Is! Tour
Comedy legend Martin Lawrence comes to Grand Prairie as part of The Y’all Know What It Is! tour, featuring an all-new stand-up show and fresh one hour set where Lawrence brings the real talk and finds the funny in everything from family to culture as only he can. Lawrence's career dates back to 1989, with his heyday coming in the 1990s with the TV show Martin and the start of the Bad Boys franchise. He'll perform at Texas Trust CU Theatre.

Sunday, June 7

Dallas CASA presents Parade of Playhouses closing day
Sunday will be the final day to view the Parade of Playhouses at NorthPark Center. The annual fundraiser for Dallas CASA features a colorful display of imaginative, one-of-a-kind children’s playhouses designed and built by architects, builders, local companies, and talented community members. Visitors can purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win one; tickets are sold both onsite at NorthPark Center and online.

Liverpool Legends: The Complete Beatles Experience
The Liverpool Legends are four musicians and actors handpicked by Louise Harrison, sister of George Harrison, to honor her brother’s legacy and re-create the band that changed the world forever. The audience will experience the complete history of the Beatles, from the early mop-top hits, to the Magical Mystery Tour, through the psychedelic era, and other classics. The concert takes place at Eisemann Center for Performing Arts in Richardson.

MOMIX: Botanica

Photo courtesy of MOMIX

TITAS/Dance Unbound presents MOMIX: Botanica at Winspear Opera House on June 6.

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