
Smash Palace
She's my daughter and I'll do what I like!
Directed by Roger Donaldson
Produced by New Zealand Film Commission, Aardvark Films
A tense, melancholic drama about a man's desperate attempt to preserve his relationship with his daughter after his marriage collapses, driven by obsession and the fear of losing what matters most.
Al Shaw's life revolves around motor racing and his back country junkyard, the "Smash Palace". His French wife, Jacqui, doesn't appreciate the lack of attention due to Al's obsession with cars. When Al finds her in the arms of another man, he takes his daughter, Georgie and heads for the bush, desperately hoping to hold on to the only family he has left.
Questions people ask
Is Smash Palace sad? Yes. More sad than 88% of films.
Does Smash Palace end with hope? Barely. Less hopeful than 80% of films.
Is Smash Palace scary? Somewhat. More frightening than 72% of films.
Is Smash Palace easy watching? Not especially. Less comforting than 61% of films.
Is Smash Palace violent? Somewhat. More violent than 59% of films.
These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.
Written about
Cinnamon Score
How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.
You have seen this shape before.
How unlike any other film this one feels
How much more it delivers than it promises
How much audiences actually like it
Ensemble
Like Smash Palace
Nearest across the full emotional profile.
Same Mood as Smash Palace
Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.
Like Smash Palace, But Darker
Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.
Like Smash Palace, But Lighter
Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.
Like Smash Palace, But Less Popular
Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.






















































