This week, I had the privilege of attending a media screening of Spit at Luna Palace Cinemas, a gem of a venue that always elevates the moviegoing experience. The cherry on top? A Zoom Q&A with the film’s star, David Wenham, whose charisma lit up the virtual room as much as he did on screen. Twenty-three years after stealing hearts (and scenes) as Johnny “Spit” Spitieri in the cult classic Gettin’ Square, Wenham is back in Spit, a standalone sequel that proves some characters are too good to leave in the past.
Directed by Jonathan Teplitzky and penned by Christopher Nyst, Spit tosses Johnny Spitieri into a fresh mess of his own making. After two decades dodging trouble overseas, Spit sneaks back into Australia on a dodgy passport, only to land in an immigration detention centre. With old foes circling like sharks and a target plastered on his back, Spit’s knack for chaos is as sharp as ever. What unfolds is a riotous blend of comedy and heart, as he bonds with a ragtag crew of detainees, imparting his skewed but oddly endearing take on mateship and what it means to be “truly Australian.”
Wenham is nothing short of superb. He slips back into Spit’s thongs with the ease of a man who’s never left, his goofy grin and quick-witted banter anchoring every scene. There’s a childlike glee in his performance that’s impossible to resist—he’s a small-time crook with a big-time soul, and you can’t help but root for him, even when he’s digging himself deeper.
Spit is out in cinemas now, and it’s a must-see for fans of Gettin’ Square or anyone craving a dose of fun. Wenham’s Johnny Spitieri remains a national treasure—mullet and all—and this latest caper proves he’s still got plenty of mischief left in him.
Email:neill@outloudculture.com
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