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Anthony Hayes

Anthony Hayes

Actor, also writer, director and producer · Born September 21, 1977 (49) · Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Anthony Hayes  (born 21 September 1977) is an Australian actor, best known for his role as Jack McLeod in the acclaimed Australian series McLeod's Daughters. Apart from acting in numerous films and television shows, he also wrote, directed and produced the films Ten Empty (2008), New Skin (2002) and Sweet Dreams (2002). Ten Empty had its World Premiere at the Sydney Film Festival (2008). The screenplay was nominated for 2007 Queensland Premier's Literary Awards and 2008 Victorian Premier's Literary Award. New Skin (2002) won the Dendy Award at the 2002 Sydney Film Festival and won Hayes an IF Award as best emerging director. Sweet Dreams (2002) was voted most popular film by the audience at the St Kilda Film Festival in 2003. Hayes also earned AFI and Film Critics Circle award nominations for The Boys. Hayes received AFI and Film Critics Circle award nominations for best supporting actor in The Square (2009), and won for Look Both Ways (2005) and Suburban Mayhem (2006). He is a co-founder of Rogue Stars Productions with fellow actors Brendan Cowell and Leland Kean in 1999. Joel Edgerton nicknamed him "The King of Western Grit" during the shoorting of The Square, The moniker later became the name of a Facebook page, with a collection of movie posters with Hayes' face on them. Description above from the Wikipedia article Anthony Hayes, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
September 21, 1977 (49)
From
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Works as
Actor, also writer, director and producer
Titles
32 on MovieCove · 66 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 157 days to Oct 28Down 20% in 30 days

What are Anthony Hayes' films like?

Across their 18 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Survival.

Genres

Drama4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 79th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 60th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 50th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Crime3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 73rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
24%
Survival
21%
Self
19%
Bonds
17%
Ideas
7%
Power
6%
Society
6%
Survival5 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSacrifice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeHope3 titles, browse their movies with this themeGuilt2 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 13 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Dark: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their dark movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 1 · Serious 2 · Dark 10

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 6 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 2

Intense: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their intense movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 0 · Charged 4 · Intense 9

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 3 · Shifting 9 · Whiplash 1

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 10 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 1

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 2 · Even-paced 11 · Relentless 0

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 0 · Engaged 10 · Full focus 3

Heavy: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their heavy movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

Easy watch 0 · Affecting 4 · Heavy 9

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 8 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

7 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 5 of 7 analyzed roles.

Shadow
5 of 7
Ally
2 of 7
Show the 7 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
17
Melancholic
11
Dread
7
Hopeful
3
Contemplative
3
Other
6

How their films linger

Thought-provoking8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteDevastating3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy1
  • Bittersweet9
  • Tragic5
  • Ambiguous3

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Anthony Hayes' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 23 of their 32 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (13).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Anthony Hayes' titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

66 credits, 32 with a MovieCove page.

  • Run (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Show 3 episodes · Writer · as Brian

  • Better Man(2024)

    as Chris Briggs

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Warnie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Show 2 episodes · as TJ Jenner2

  • Gold(2022)

    Director · Producer · Screenplay · as Keith

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Total Control(2019)

    Show 18 episodes · as Damien Bauer

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Danger Close(2019)

    as Lieutenant Colonel Colin Townsend

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Strangers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Show 8 episodes · as Michael Cohen

  • Mystery Road(2018)

    Show 6 episodes · as Ryan Muller

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • Cargo(2017)

    as Vic

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • War Machine(2017)

    as Pete Duckman

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Seven Types of Ambiguity (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Show 6 episodes · as Mitch

  • The Light Between Oceans(2016)

    as Sergeant Vernon Knuckey

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Redfern Now: Promise Me (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Daryl Hopkins

  • Gallipoli(2015)

    Show 7 episodes · as Anthony Chandler

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • The Rover(2014)

    as Sgt. Rickofferson

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Healing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Warren

  • Secrets & Lies(2014)

    Show 6 episodes · as Ian Cornielle

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all shows

  • The Broken Shore(2013)

    as Rick Hopgood

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Mr & Mrs Murder(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Ralph Alonso

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • Devil's Dust (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 2 episodes · as Bernie Banton

  • Jack Irish: Bad Debts(2012)

    as Vin McKillop

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • The King Is Dead! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Escobar

  • Dumpy Goes to the Big Smoke (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Portly

  • Bikie Wars: Brothers in Arms(2012)

    Show 6 episodes · as Caesar Campbell

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Beaconsfield(2012)

    as Pat Ball

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Killing Time (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as John Bond

  • The Slap(2011)

    Show 7 episodes · as Gary

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Burning Man(2011)

    as Brian

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • SLiDE (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Stacey

  • Griff the Invisible (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Thanks

  • Animal Kingdom(2010)

    as Detective Justin Norris

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Beneath Hill 60(2010)

    as William McBride

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Rescue Special Ops(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Zac Weston

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Prime Mover (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Businessman, Salesman, Foreman & Mechanic

  • Rush(2008)

    Show 2 episodes · as Oliver Ginsberg

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Ten Empty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Director · Co-Producer · Writer

  • The Square(2008)

    as Greg 'Smithy' Smith

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • The List (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Dale

  • Newcastle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Danny

  • West (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Kenwood

  • Bastard Boys (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Suburban Mayhem (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Kenny

  • Look Both Ways(2005)

    as Andy Walker

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • BlackJack: Sweet Science (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Brad Anderson

  • Ned Kelly(2003)

    as Sergeant Kennedy

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Alice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Ben

  • White Collar Blue (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as John Santos

  • MDA (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Michael Ross

  • Heroes' Mountain (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Woody

  • Tracey McBean (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 78 episodes · Actor

  • Rabbit-Proof Fence(2002)

    as The Fence Builder

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Changi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 6 episodes · as Gordon Yates

  • McLeod's Daughters(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Jack McLeod

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Bootmen(2000)

    as Huey

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Farscape(1999)

    Show 2 episodes · as Molnon · as Wa

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • The Sugar Factory (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Marlo

  • The Boys (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Stevie Sprague

  • All Saints(1998)

    Show 2 episodes · as Krys Goretski

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all shows

  • Twisted (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Damien (segment 'Third Party')

  • Twisted Tales (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Damien

  • Halifax F.P.(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Kenny

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Snowy River: The McGregor Saga(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Zack Reilly

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • Ocean Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 78 episodes · Actor

  • Blue Heelers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 2 episodes · as Phil

  • Animal Park (AU) (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 16 episodes · Actor

  • Kangaroo Creek Gang (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 66 titles, 65 of them dated from 1991 to 2026; peak year 2016.

Biggest box office

The Light Between Oceans (2016)

$26M worldwide

Highest rated

Animal Kingdom (2010)

Midcredits 89th

Most popular right now

War Machine (2017)

Film career

19912026

Peak 2016 · steadily prominent in film for years. Top draw in 3 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting64 of 66: 62 only acting, 2 with another role · typical Midcredits score73rdDirecting2 of 66: 0 only directing, 2 with another roleWriting3 of 66: 0 only writing, 3 with another roleProducing2 of 66: 0 only producing, 2 with another roleOther crew1 of 66: 1 only other crew, 0 with another role

66 titles, 3 with more than one role — acting and writing overlap on 2 of them.

By decade

1990s11 · acting2000s22 · 21 acting · 1 crew2010s28 · 27 acting · 1 crew2020s4 · 4 acting · 2 crew

Billing

usually 9th · top billed in 0% of 19 roles
980813

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Anthony Hayes' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 74th percentile, the median of all 18; across their 13 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 67th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

67thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Approval · how many liked their films

72ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Reach · how many have seen their films

83rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Midcredits score across 32 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up13
  • 50th to 74th17
  • 25th to 49th1
  • Below 25th1

Shape of the crowd

27 of their 32 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved3
  • Crowd Pleaser27
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed1

Most loved · actor

Better Man (2024)

Midcredits 94th · 83% liked

Reviewers score the acting 75/100 in their films, across 13 reviewed titles; fans 83, detractors 49. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Anthony Hayes' work okay for kids?

Across up to 10 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films and sex & nudity lighter.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore7 titles25–81 · median 65 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity10 titles11–46 · median 20 · mildlighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity7 titles42–85 · median 71 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs6 titles7–61 · median 34 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense7 titles33–71 · median 59 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Anthony Hayes work with?

People who share at least 2 of Anthony Hayes' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Susie Porter shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles