In the ever-competitive world of streaming, where new releases battle for viewer attention, it’s rare for an older film to claw its way to the top of the charts. Yet, that’s exactly what happened this week when Eric Bana’s 2021 Australian thriller The Dry unexpectedly surged to the No. 1 spot on Netflix’s global rankings. This surprise ascent comes hot on the heels of Bana’s latest Netflix hit, the 2025 limited series Untamed, which has been dominating conversations since its July release. Fans and critics alike are buzzing about how The Dry, a film that’s been available on various platforms for years, has managed to outshine even fresher content, proving itself darker, more emotionally layered, and arguably more addictive than its wilderness-set counterpart.

Netflix’s data, as of August 18, 2025, shows The Dry topping the charts in over 50 countries, including major markets like the United States, Australia, the UK, and parts of Europe. This isn’t just a regional fluke; it’s a global phenomenon that has left industry insiders scratching their heads. What sparked this revival? Some point to the “Bana effect”—the actor’s star power amplified by the success of Untamed, which drew in millions of viewers eager for more of his brooding, investigative personas. Others credit algorithmic magic, where Netflix’s recommendation engine pushed the film to users who binged Untamed and craved something with similar tension but deeper psychological depth. Whatever the reason, The Dry has racked up millions of views in just days, surpassing even high-profile new releases and reminding us that quality storytelling never truly dries up.

To understand the hype, let’s first contextualize Untamed, the series that set the stage for this upset. Released on July 17, 2025, as a six-episode limited series, Untamed follows Kyle Turner (played by Eric Bana), a seasoned special agent in the National Parks Service’s Investigative Services Branch. Tasked with enforcing law in America’s vast wildernesses, Turner dives into a brutal murder case in Yosemite National Park. The victim, a young woman found dead under mysterious circumstances, uncovers a web of secrets tied to the park’s employees, visitors, and even Turner’s own haunted past. Accompanied by rookie ranger Naya Vasquez (Lily Santiago), Turner navigates treacherous terrain, both literal and metaphorical, as the investigation reveals corruption, personal betrayals, and the raw power of nature itself.

The supporting cast in Untamed adds richness: Sam Neill as Paul Souter, the veteran chief ranger; Rosemarie DeWitt as Jill Bodwin, Turner’s ex-wife who provides emotional grounding; and Wilson Bethel as Shane Maguire, a reclusive wildlife officer with his own suspicions. Created by the writer behind The Revenant, the series blends thriller elements with stunning cinematography of Yosemite’s landscapes, earning praise for its atmospheric tension and Bana’s commanding performance. Within its first week, it amassed 24.6 million views globally, cementing it as a breakout hit and drawing comparisons to shows like True Detective for its moody, introspective vibe. Viewers have lauded its unpredictability, with many on social media calling it “the new benchmark for wilderness thrillers.”

But if Untamed is a gripping hike through untamed forests, The Dry is a descent into the parched, unforgiving outback of the human soul—darker, drier, and infinitely more claustrophobic despite its wide-open settings. Directed by Robert Connolly and based on Jane Harper’s acclaimed 2016 novel, the film stars Eric Bana as Aaron Falk, a federal agent returning to his drought-stricken hometown of Kiewarra, Victoria, after a 20-year absence. The catalyst? The funeral of his childhood best friend, Luke Hadler, who is accused of murdering his wife Karen and son Billy in a shocking murder-suicide, leaving only their infant daughter alive.

Falk, a stoic investigator with the Australian Federal Police, is reluctantly drawn into probing the case at the behest of Luke’s grieving parents. Partnering with local sergeant Greg Raco (Keir O’Donnell), he uncovers inconsistencies that cast doubt on the official narrative. The shotgun shells at the scene don’t match Luke’s preferred brand, hinting at foul play. As Falk digs deeper, the investigation intertwines with his own unresolved trauma: the suspicious death of his teenage girlfriend, Ellie Deacon, two decades earlier, which forced him to flee town amid accusations from Ellie’s abusive father, Mal (Bruce Spence), and cousin Grant (Matt Nable).

The plot unfolds through a masterful blend of present-day sleuthing and haunting flashbacks. In the past, we see a young Falk (Joe Klocek) navigating small-town friendships with Luke (Sam Corlett), Gretchen (Claude Scott-Mitchell), and Ellie (BeBe Bettencourt). The group’s idyllic youth shatters when Ellie drowns in the local river, with notes implicating Falk and Luke in the town’s eyes. In the present, Falk’s inquiries lead to the local school principal, Scott Whitlam (John Polson), who had financial ties to Karen, and Gretchen (Genevieve O’Reilly), now a single mother with her own secrets tied to Luke.

Key twists reveal Whitlam’s embezzlement of school funds to fuel a gambling addiction, culminating in a desperate confession that he committed the murders to silence Karen’s discoveries. In a harrowing chase, Whitlam sets himself ablaze, but not before admitting his guilt, exonerating Luke. Yet, the film’s emotional core lies in Falk’s personal reckoning. Visiting the dry riverbed where Ellie died, he uncovers her hidden backpack with a journal exposing Mal’s abuse—proof that her father drowned her, clearing Falk’s name once and for all.

The cast delivers powerhouse performances that elevate the material. Eric Bana, known for roles in Troy and Munich, brings a quiet intensity to Falk, portraying a man burdened by guilt and isolation. His chemistry with O’Reilly’s Gretchen adds layers of unspoken regret and longing, while O’Donnell’s Raco provides a grounded, empathetic foil. Supporting turns from Miranda Tapsell as a local teacher and others flesh out the town’s stifling atmosphere. Director Robert Connolly, who co-wrote the screenplay with Harry Cripps, masterfully captures the drought-ravaged landscapes of Victoria’s Wimmera Mallee region, using the barren environment as a metaphor for emotional desolation.

Production on The Dry began in March 2019, with filming wrapping just before the COVID-19 pandemic delayed its release. Optioned by producers Bruna Papandrea and Reese Witherspoon in 2015, the film premiered in Melbourne on December 11, 2020, before a wider Australian rollout on January 1, 2021. It grossed over US$17 million worldwide, becoming one of Australia’s top earners that year despite pandemic restrictions. Critically, it holds an 89% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with praise for its taut pacing and Bana’s anchoring performance. Metacritic scores it at 69/100, noting its “generally favorable” reception, and outlets like The Guardian hailed it as “taut, tough, and tense.”

What makes The Dry even darker and more addictive than Untamed? While both feature Bana as a haunted investigator unraveling mysteries in harsh natural settings, The Dry delves deeper into themes of guilt, redemption, and the corrosive effects of small-town secrets. Untamed‘s wilderness is majestic and perilous, but The Dry‘s outback is a relentless mirror to inner turmoil—dry, cracked, and unforgiving. The film’s slow-burn narrative builds unbearable tension, with twists that feel earned rather than sensational. Viewers report binge-watching it in one sitting, drawn by its emotional gut-punches and moral ambiguity. As one Rotten Tomatoes user put it, “It’s not just a thriller; it’s a psychological excavation.”

This surge coincides with renewed interest in Bana’s oeuvre. Following Untamed‘s success—renewed for a second season by early August 2025—fans have flocked to his back catalog. The Dry, available on Netflix in many regions since 2021, benefited from cross-promotion and word-of-mouth. Social media is ablaze with reactions: “Just watched The Dry after Untamed—holy cow, it’s way more intense!” tweets one user. Another calls it “the perfect chaser: darker, smarter, and sticks with you longer.”

In an era of disposable content, The Dry‘s resurrection proves timeless stories prevail. It’s not just a thriller; it’s a testament to Bana’s versatility and the enduring appeal of Australian noir. If you haven’t streamed it yet, now’s the time—before the well runs dry again.