The Dry

Federal Agent Aaron Falk returns to his hometown of Kiewarra after more than twenty years. He attends the funeral of his childhood friend Luke, who has allegedly killed his family before committing suicide.

Luke's parents persuade Falk to stay in town and investigate their son's tragic case. Despite his reluctance, Falk agrees to dig deeper into the circumstances surrounding the murder-suicide.

Upon his return, Falk faces persistent harassment from the townspeople. This is largely due to the unresolved case of Ellie Deacon, a close friend whose death two decades prior still haunts him.

Falk was a prime suspect in Ellie's death after she was found drowned in the river. This tragic event forced him and his father to leave Kiewarra to escape the wrath of her irate father.

Falk partners with local sergeant Greg Raco to investigate Luke's case. They begin to gather evidence, fueled by the community's mixed feelings towards Falk and his past.

The investigation reveals that the bullets used in the murders were Remingtons, while Luke owned Winchesters. This finding suggests that the real killer had access to different ammunition, hinting at foul play.

Falk interviews Scott Whitlam, the school's principal and Karen's employer. Scott admits that although the school was struggling financially, Karen did not show any signs of distress, raising suspicions about her death.

Falk discovers a note implying that Ellie's brother, Grant Dow, may have intentions to buy the family farm after Luke's death. Grant denies any such plans, further complicated by the animosity towards Falk.

While visiting Gretchen, a childhood friend, Falk learns about school funding applications on her table. This leads him to suspect that there may be fraud involved in the funding related to the school.

Falk discovers that Luke is the father of Gretchen's child, Lachlan, while going through an old photo album. This revelation complicates the connections between the key players involved in the tragedy.

Falk and Raco confront Whitlam at school but find he has fled. Upon pursuing him, they uncover his gambling addiction and theft of school funds, leading to a confession about the murders.

In a shocking turn, Whitlam douses himself in oil and attempts to commit suicide by fire. Falk and Raco bravely intervene to stop the fire from spreading, resulting in Raco's injury.

Whitlam's confession closes the case and clears Luke of wrongdoing. Falk and Raco's efforts bring some resolution to the tragedy that shook the community.

As he leaves Kiewarra, Falk visits the river where he used to meet Ellie. There, he finds her old backpack, sparking memories and new realizations about her past and the abuse she endured.

Inside Ellie's backpack, Falk discovers a journal that reveals her father's abuse. The painful memories lead him to understand that the true tragedy lies deeper than the surface events surrounding the murders.