‘Animal Kingdom’ earning raves

When: Opening Friday at Village Square

Cast: Joel Edgerton, Guy Pearce, Luke Ford, Ben Mendelsohn, Jacki Weaver

Director: David Michod

The story: A 17-year-old tries to navigate the treacherous territory between his explosive crime family and the detective who thinks he can save him.

The buzz: Winner of the grand jury prize for world cinema at this year’s Sundance film festival, this Australian crime drama has earned raves for, among other things, veteran actress Weaver’s portrayal of a cheerful Melbourne grandma — who’s also a killer gangster matriarch.