A giant crocodile terrorizes tourists in this polished, yet commercially overlooked, Australian horror film.

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Greg McLean’s 2007 horror film Rogue depicts a group of tourists stranded in Australia’s Northern Territory, hunted by a massive, seven-metre saltwater crocodile. Despite earning critical acclaim for its suspense and visual effects, the film suffered a troubled production history and a quiet, limited release that stifled its commercial potential.

The film follows American travel journalist Pete McKell and a group of tourists on a river cruise in Kakadu National Park. After investigating a distant flare, they discover a wrecked boat and are subsequently attacked by a rogue crocodile. The survivors become trapped on a small island that is slowly being submerged by the rising tide, forcing them into a desperate struggle for survival against the apex predator.

Director Greg McLean first drafted the script in 1995, drawing inspiration from his childhood fascination with Northern Territory crocodiles and the documentary Northern Safari. The project faced significant hurdles, including a defaulted grant in 2000 and a period where McLean was briefly removed from the director's chair. It was only after the success of his debut, Wolf Creek, that McLean secured the financing to bring his vision of a giant, man-eating reptile to the screen.

While the film was inspired by the true story of a large crocodile named Sweetheart—who famously attacked boats in the late 1970s but never harmed a human—the cinematic version is far more lethal. Despite an 83% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the film struggled commercially. The Weinstein Company reduced its promotional support following the poor performance of another crocodile film, Primeval, ultimately relegating Rogue to a limited theatrical run and a direct-to-video release in several markets.

Critics praised the film as a solid, polished B-movie, with some noting its elegance while acknowledging the inevitable, if unfair, comparisons to Jaws. Filmed on location at sites including Katherine Gorge and Arnhem Land, the production utilized practical effects to create a visceral experience. Although it failed to achieve blockbuster status, Rogue remains a notable entry in the Australian horror genre, standing alongside other killer-croc films like Black Water and Dark Age.

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