The Second (2018)
An Australian psychological thriller in which a celebrated author's carefully guarded secret is brought to the surface by the one person who knows the truth.
The Second - Movie Information
- Original Title: The Second
- Release Year: 2018
- Directed by: Mairi Cameron
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Thriller
- Runtime: 1h 34m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Production Companies: Sense & Centsability, Screen Queensland, Second Films, Tangerine Entertainment, Screen Australia, Stan
- Production Countries: Australia
The Second - Plot
The persona of a celebrated author is threatened when her best friend and muse reveals the dark secret behind her first novel's provenance, igniting an incendiary tale of sex, lies and betrayal.
The Second - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the tension unfold:
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The Second - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Mairi Cameron
Main Cast
- Rachael Blake
- Susie Porter
- Vince Colosimo
- Martin Sacks
- Susan Prior
- Megan Dale
- Bridget Webb
- Will Beasley
- Lisa Kay
- Paula Nazarski
Writers
- Stephen Lance
Producers
- Stephen Lance
- Leanne Tonkes
The Second - FAQs
What is The Second about?
The Second follows a celebrated author whose carefully constructed public image begins to unravel when her best friend and muse threatens to expose the dark truth behind her debut novel. It's a tense psychological thriller exploring themes of creative theft, loyalty, and the lengths people go to protect their legacy.
What secret does the muse reveal in The Second?
The muse threatens to expose that the author's celebrated first novel wasn't truly her own work — its origins are tied to a dark secret involving a childhood memory, a drowning, and a story that was never hers to tell. The revelation sets off a dangerous chain of sex, lies, and betrayal.
Where can you stream The Second (2018)?
You can stream The Second on Amazon Prime Video, The Roku Channel, Tubi TV, Fandango at Home Free, Kanopy, and Hoopla at no extra cost. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home.
Who are the main actors in The Second?
The film stars Rachael Blake as The Writer and Susie Porter as The Muse — two powerhouse Australian actresses at the heart of the story. Vince Colosimo, Martin Sacks, and Susan Prior round out the key cast, each playing characters identified only by their role rather than a name.
Why are characters unnamed in The Second?
Director Mairi Cameron made the deliberate choice to identify characters by their function — The Writer, The Muse, The Publisher — rather than personal names. This stylistic decision strips away individual identity and forces the audience to focus on the power dynamics and archetypes driving the story's psychological tension.
Who directed The Second and what is it about?
The Second was directed by Mairi Cameron, an Australian filmmaker. The film is a psychological thriller examining authorship, betrayal, and buried secrets, written by Stephen Lance. It was produced with support from Screen Queensland, Screen Australia, and Stan, reflecting a strong Australian independent film pedigree.
Is The Second based on a true story?
The Second is not based on a specific true story — it's an original screenplay by Stephen Lance. However, its themes of literary plagiarism, creative ownership, and the murky ethics of inspiration draw on very real tensions that exist in the world of publishing and authorship.
What are some films similar to The Second?
If you enjoyed The Second, you might also like Swimming Pool (2003), a French psychological thriller about a writer whose creative process takes a dark turn, or The Dry (2021), another tense Australian thriller with buried secrets. Memento (2000) and Luckiest Girl Alive (2022) also share its unsettling psychological edge.
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