Age of Consent

Bradley Morahan, jaded by success in New York, decides he needs to reclaim his artistic edge. He resolves to return to Australia to reconnect with his roots and inspiration. The choice sets the plot in motion as he prepares for a new chapter away from the city.

Bradley relocates to a shack on the shore of a sparsely inhabited island off the Great Barrier Reef. He begins a new, intimate studio life with the sea as his backdrop. The isolation sparks the revival of his artistic drive.

On the island, Bradley meets Cora Ryan, a wild young woman, and her difficult grandmother Ma. Cora earns money by selling fish she has caught, while Ma's presence casts a wary shadow over the newcomers. The initial encounter foreshadows a complicated dynamic between them.

Cora helps herself to Bradley's goods, first by selling him fish and later by stealing a chicken from Isabel Marley. Bradley is suspicious of the theft and, to forestall trouble, pays Isabel to keep quiet and presses Cora to promise she won't steal again. The incident intertwines Cora's livelihood with Bradley's trust.

To help Cora save money toward her dream of becoming a hairdresser, Bradley pays her to model for his paintings. Her raw vitality revitalizes his work and renews his inspiration. The collaboration deepens their personal connection beyond simple transaction.

Bradley's longtime 'friend' Nat Kelly arrives, hiding from the police over alimony. When Bradley refuses to lend him money, Nat asserts himself and decides to stay. The island's rhythm is disrupted by Nat's presence.

Nat redirects his attention to Isabel, trying to squeeze money from her. The plan is thwarted when Isabel unexpectedly seduces him, leaving Nat embittered and Bradley financially strained when Nat steals Bradley's money and drawings and departs. This betrayal heightens tensions on the island.

Ma catches Cora posing nude for Bradley and accuses him of engaging with her granddaughter inappropriately. Bradley protests that nothing improper is happening and tries to calm the brewing conflict. The confrontation underscores the fragile boundary between art and exploitation.

In a tense moment, Bradley gives Ma the little money he has left to get her to go away. His gesture is driven by a wish to avoid trouble with the grandmother and protect Cora. The money exchange marks a turning point in the dynamic among the trio.

Cora discovers Ma's hidden cache of money and a chase ensues. Ma falls down a hill and dies from a broken neck, a fatal accident that the local police shrug off as typical drunken misfortune. The death removes one major obstacle but leaves a heavy emotional burden.

After Ma's death, Cora seeks Bradley at his shack but feels used, sensing he still views her as a mere model. She leaves in frustration, and Bradley follows her into the water, confronting his own feelings. The night ends with a charged realization about desire and responsibility.

Bradley finally sees Cora not just as an art subject but as a desirable young woman worthy of more than admiration. The episode marks a shift from object to potential partner, setting the stage for an uncertain future between them. The island's isolation remains a backdrop to their evolving bond.