High Ground (2020) is an Australian historical drama and action film directed by Stephen Maxwell Johnson. Set in the 1930s, the film explores the violent conflict between Indigenous Australians and colonial settlers in northern Australia. The story follows Travis (played by Simon Baker), a former World War I sniper turned policeman, who becomes disillusioned with the brutal treatment of Indigenous people by the colonial authorities.
Years after a mᴀssacre that haunts him, Travis is reluctantly drawn back into the conflict when he is tasked with capturing Baywara, a vengeful Indigenous warrior leading attacks against settlers. To track him down, Travis enlists the help of Gutjuk (Jacob Junior Nayinggul), a young Indigenous man who was the only survivor of the mᴀssacre and is now caught between two worlds—his people’s traditional way of life and the white settlers’ expectations.
With stunning landscapes and powerful performances, High Ground offers a gripping and thought-provoking narrative that explores themes of justice, reconciliation, and the lasting impact of colonial violence. The film provides a raw and unflinching look at a painful chapter in Australian history, blending intense action with a deep emotional resonance.
