A gripping true-crime documentary comes to Newcastle
True-crime fans can catch The Policewoman on the big screen in Newcastle this November, with the new Australian documentary following the extraordinary career of former Victoria Police detective Narelle Fraser.
Opening nationally on Thursday, 5 November, The Policewoman takes audiences inside Narelle Fraser’s 27-year career through interviews, archival footage and striking miniature recreations.
Known by many as the “Queen of True Crime”, Narelle Fraser spent almost three decades with Victoria Police, investigating some of Australia’s most confronting crimes.
The 76-minute documentary traces her journey from young constable in the 1980s through to respected detective, while also exploring the personal toll of years spent working at the frontline.
Rather than relying only on traditional recreations, the film uses miniature dioramas to reinterpret Fraser’s memories and the moments that stayed with her long after the investigations were over.
Behind the film is Newcastle-raised director Claire Pasvolsky, who is now based in Sydney. Claire is an award-winning narrative and factual filmmaker with a background in theatre, dramaturgy and academia, and holds a PhD in Media and Communications in Screenwriting.
Her previous work includes documentary Big Sky Girls and feature drama Three Chords and the Truth, which premiered at Sydney Film Festival. In 2023, Claire received the Australian Directors’ Guild Award for Best Director of a Feature Film for Three Chords and the Truth.
The idea for The Policewoman began after Claire heard Narelle speaking on a true-crime podcast and was struck by the way she spoke about policing, trauma and the memories that remained with her. The resulting documentary takes a more personal approach to true crime, examining not only the cases Fraser worked on, but what years on the frontline ultimately cost her.
The Policewoman
When: From Thursday, 5 - Wednesday, 11 November 2026
Where: Tower Cinemas, Newcastle
To book, visit The Policewoman