Name: Thou Shalt Not Steal Review: An Edge-of-Your-Seat Australian Road Trip
Item: Thou Shalt Not Steal
Author: Arash Nahandian

Set in the vast outback of 1980s Australia, Thou Shalt Not Steal tells the story of Robyn, a 17-year-old Aboriginal girl who escapes from a juvenile detention center. Her grandfather passes information that her father, believed dead, may actually still be alive. This spurs Robyn into action as she steals a taxi and embarks on a road trip to find him.

Along the way, she’s joined by Gidge, a troubled youth seeking escape from his domineering preacher father. Also in pursuit are Maxine, the former owner of the stolen taxi, and Robert, intent on getting his son back.

With Robyn at the helm, the series plays out like a thrill-ride adventure across the rugged Australian landscape. But it also weaves in deeper layers. Robyn grows in self-discovery as she reconnects with her culture and heritage. And the story highlights ongoing issues of justice and equality through its depiction of the mistreatment faced by Indigenous communities.

Sherry-Lee Watson shines in the lead role, imbuing Robyn with a rebellious spirit and fierce resilience. Miranda Otto and Noah Taylor lend formidable support as the villains hot on her trail. Under the skilled direction of Dylan River, tight pacing and a superb cast ensure non-stop entertainment. However, it’s the thoughtful commentary on colonialism that gives Thou Shalt Not Steal its soul.

After previewing just a few episodes, I’m eager to continue following Robyn’s journey. Her quest appears poised to deliver edge-of-your-seat adventures alongside promising insights into experiences seldom seen on screen. Fans of gritty drama with a human touch should find much to appreciate in this series.

Outback Adventureland

Boy, does this series know how to showcase the rugged, rolling terrain of Australia’s red center? Every sweeping landscape shot puts you right there alongside the characters, experiencing the untamed wilderness in all its grandeur and danger. The desert settings feel incredibly authentic.

You really get a sense of how the harsh but beautiful outback fosters both freedom and introspection in Robyn. Its vast open roads let her escape constraints both physical and emotional. But the setting also ties into her cultural journey, as the land holds a deeper significance as traditional Indigenous territory.

Special credit goes to cinematographer Tyson Perkins for magnificent work behind the camera. He brings out the sheer scale of the environment and indulges in plenty of picturesque campfire scenes. At the same time, Perkins conveys the outback’s harshness—you feel the scorching heat, and the lonely distances take on real peril.

Add to that a killer retro soundtrack with big country tunes and a throwback score. It perfectly captures the old-timey vibes of Robyn’s 80s-era adventure. The pulsing, cinematic music sweeps you right along on the road trip. And the score seems crafted by Sergio Leone himself to complement those sweeping landscape shots.

Between the epic scenery, gritty visual style, and kickass tunes, Thou Shalt Not Steal truly transports viewers to a bygone era Aussie adventureland. It’s easy to see why fans can’t get enough of these thrill rides across one of the most beautiful and challenging settings on the planet.

The Heart and Soul of Thou Shalt Not Steal

This show lives or dies by its characters and what a colorfully vibrant cast it has assembled. Leading the way is the indomitable Robyn, played with real grit and depth by Shelby-Lee Watson. You get the rebel attitude right away—she takes no crap from anyone. But dig deeper, and there’s a sensitive soul searching for answers about where she comes from. Watson ensures you’re fully invested in that journey.

Opposite her are Maxine and Robert, delivered brilliantly by Miranda Otto and Noah Taylor. On the surface, Maxine looks set in her ways as a tough cop, but she hides past hurt. And Taylor shows Robert to be pathetic yet pitiful, a man who preaches one thing yet exemplifies another’s downfall. They’re a poisonous pair, but so fascinating to watch spar.

Helping to illustrate different sides of small-town life comes Gidge, the troubled local whose fate becomes intertwined with Robyn’s. Will McDonald breathes sad honesty into a boy desperate to break free. And let’s not forget Robyn’s grandfather Ringer—Warren H. Williams lends the character a great warmth.

You really believe these people could exist in real life, which makes the drama feel that much more authentic and immersive. And the cast shares such potent chemistry together. Their vivid performances grip you from the word go, carrying whole episodes through sheer charismatic ability.

At its heart, then, this is truly an actor’s showcase. Each player sunk their teeth into richly layered roles. And under Dylan River’s direction, they wield these characters on screen like trusted weapons unleashed. It’s through these portrayals that this series finds its soul—and what a pulsating, unforgettable soul it possesses.

Dylan River’s Expert Hand at the Wheel

From that punchy opening escape scene, it’s clear Dylan River knows how to keep an audience gripped. Everything about his direction in this show screams propulsive expertise. Even over just twenty minutes, he wastes no time flying through multiple twists as Robyn’s journey gathers momentum.

River’s breakneck pacing ensures you’ll be glued to every fleeting moment. Robyn is always on the move, dragging viewers along for the white-knuckle ride. Short, snappy episodes play to the format’s advantage—no dragging filler to break the suspense. You’ll be left wanting double episodes every time.

But besides momentum, River excels with imagery. His camerawork somehow makes even mundane travel scenes an adventure. Sweeping landscape shots breathe life into deserted outback roads. Close-ups intensify tense showdowns. His direction brings this vibrant world alive through vivid visual storytelling alone.

Standouts include Robyn’s opening escape. River’s choreography of flying feet, blaring score, and gritty cinematography seared the scene in memory. He knows just when to linger on emotion or pull tight focus for high drama. Every moment feels crafted by a master’s hand on the wheel.

From start to finish of each breakneck episode, River maintains the accelerator’s floor. His skilled techniques keep viewers riveted through Robyn’s road trips, closing each chapter on an unforgettable image. Under his expert guidance, Thou Shalt Not Steal never loses its momentum.

Robyn’s Journey of Discovery

At its heart, Thou Shalt Not Steal tackles important issues of Indigenous identity. Robyn comes from a community still feeling the impacts of stolen generations past. The series gracefully shines a light on her people’s mistreatment through colonial injustice.

Watching her gradually awaken to her cultural roots and the wrongs inflicted upon them proves profound. From her very first statement denouncing missionaries, it’s clear Robyn feels disconnected from her history and heritage. Yet meeting others on her road trip opens new understandings.

Rather than becoming a spectacle, the show’s themes are meditated on through Robyn’s personal journey. They don’t feel preachy so much as it portrays a young woman beginning to find answers and pride in where she comes from. Along the way, she inspires others to reflect on reconciliation.

Dylan River and company address heavy topics with nuance and care. They craft Robyn’s story to make their message felt not through accusation but by way of an engaging drama. We understand the impacts of colonization not through textbook facts alone but through lived experiences feeling newly relevant.

By the episode’s end, it’s touching to see how much Robyn has learned about her people’s resilience in the face of injustice. Her quest becomes about reclaiming not just her family but her culture and place upon the land as well. Thou Shalt Not Steal offers meaningful commentary through its characters and their moving adventures across the outback.

Is the Road Trip Too Long?

Now this series gets an awful lot right across its brief episodes. But being such a bingeable show flying by at top speed, are there concerns about maintaining that quality over the full longer haul?

A few plots did feel stretched at times early on. Like one scene dwelling a bit too long on scenery without moving things along. It’s a minor issue though—River’s driving pace picks right back up before you notice.

With any story told across so many chapters, sustaining constant captivation is no easy task. There’s a chance future episodes could slip into similarly extended moments just trying to reach the finish line.

A few characters also took some getting used to. Though they grew on me fast, will they all continue developing in more interesting ways? Only time—or should I say more episodes!—will tell fully.

Really, these feel like tiny niggles in an otherwise exceptional production. So far, River proves more than capable of gluing it all together cohesively.

The finale will say most on whether lingering questions get answered satisfactorily. But regardless, this series has set a high bar. Even if it can’t maintain absolute perfection to the very end, Thou Shalt Not Steal looks to go down as one wild, impactful ride.

An Unforgettable Australian Adventure

Well, after following Robyn’s exploits across these opening episodes, it’s clear this is one stunning TV series. Dylan River should take a bow for masterfully weaving gritty drama with gut-busting fun over such brief yet binge-worthy episodes.

Between the captivating characters, fast-paced plot twists, and visually stunning outback scenery, Thou Shalt Not Steal had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Does it get any better than high-speed chases through the rugged desert? I think not.

But beyond non-stop thrills, this show packs an emotional punch too. Its thought-provoking look at Indigenous experiences felt both heartfelt and authentic. By route’s end, I’d learned as much as I was entertained.

More than anything, it was inspiring to see Australian stories brought to life with such vibrancy. Our history and culture leapt off the screen in Robyn’s defiant yet dignified adventure. I can’t recommend this drama highly enough.

So if you love gutsy characters, cross-country road trips, or simply great local stories, do yourself a favor and seek this series out. I can’t wait to see how Robyn’s journey concludes—and neither should you. One thing’s for sure: this is just the beginning for Australian television’s next breakout hit.

The Review