Throwback (2014) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The story takes place in the remote wilderness of North Eastern Australia, specifically the dense bushland and rugged terrain of Far North Queensland. The region’s diverse ecosystems and untamed landscapes serve as both the treasure-hunting backdrop and a source of constant danger. Its real-world history of gold rushes and legendary outlaws directly shapes the movie's narrative.

• setting
• north eastern australia
• far north queensland
• bushland
• wilderness
• australian outback

The film is anchored in two time periods: an 1825 prologue set during Australia's gold rush era, and a present-day storyline following modern treasure hunters. The historical segment establishes the legend of the lost gold and the outlaw connected to it, while the contemporary plot follows explorers who unknowingly venture into the same territory. This contrast between past and present reinforces how old dangers still linger in the wilderness.

• 1825
• gold rush
• present day
• time period
• historical prologue

The yowie is a legendary creature from Australian folklore, often described as a large, ape-like cryptid said to inhabit the outback. In the movie, it serves as both a literal and metaphorical antagonist, embodying the unknown dangers that accompany greed-driven pursuits. The creature functions as a relentless physical threat that hunts the treasure seekers through the bush.

• yowie
• mythical creature
• australian folklore
• cryptid
• antagonist

The central conflict unfolds on two intersecting levels: human versus human and human versus nature. Treasure hunters Kent and Jack clash over greed and loyalty, while Rhiannon is caught between them and the wilderness itself. Layered on top is the relentless pursuit by the yowie, which turns a treasure hunt into a desperate fight for survival.

• main conflict
• treasure hunt
• survival
• greed
• betrayal

Kent is one of the two modern-day treasure hunters, portrayed as a scheming and ruthless partner driven by greed. He is willing to betray his fellow hunter for personal wealth, embodying the darker side of treasure-hunting ambition. His character arc reflects how desperation in the wilderness erodes loyalty and leads to dangerous moral compromises.

• kent
• treasure hunter
• betrayal
• greed
• antagonist

Jack is a treasure hunter initially partnered with Kent, caught between his ambition for gold and a growing sense of morality. As the story progresses, he shifts from seeking fortune to fighting for survival against both his treacherous partner and the mythical yowie. His transformation from greed-driven hunter to desperate survivor defines his role throughout the film.

• jack
• treasure hunter
• survival
• morality
• protagonist

Rhiannon is a park ranger who becomes an unwitting participant in the treasure hunt. She embodies courage and resourcefulness, navigating threats from both the human conflict around her and the untamed wilderness. Her character brings a survival-focused perspective that contrasts with the greed-driven motivations of the other treasure hunters.

• rhiannon
• park ranger
• survival
• courage

Detective McNab is a rugged lawman investigating a series of disappearances in the area, portrayed as enigmatic and competent but reckless. He approaches the case with skepticism toward local legends despite mounting evidence. His confrontation with the yowie highlights the limits of rational thinking when faced with forces beyond conventional explanation.

• detective mcnab
• lawman
• disappearances
• skepticism

The movie explores themes of adventure, greed, betrayal, and the tension between myth and reality. Treasure hunting becomes a vehicle for examining how the pursuit of wealth can corrupt relationships and push people into morally dangerous territory. The yowie represents the supernatural and natural consequences that await those who chase forbidden fortunes into the wild.

• themes
• greed
• betrayal
• adventure
• myth
• morality

The 1825 prologue establishes the historical legend of a notorious 1800s outlaw and his lost gold during the Australian gold rush. This backstory directly frames the present-day treasure hunt, as modern explorers unknowingly retrace the same paths and disturb the same cursed ground. The past essentially haunts the present, lending the wilderness its dangerous atmosphere.

• 1825 prologue
• outlaw
• lost gold
• present-day
• historical connection