A new animal kingdom for Michod in 'The Rover'

CANNES, France (AP) — “It’s getting howly out there,” says the Australian director David Michod, peering out at a torrential downpour that’s pounding the southern coast of France.

The stormy backdrop is fittingly portentous for Michod as he discusses his much anticipated follow-up to the Oscar-nominated debut “Animal Kingdom.” He calls “The Rover,” which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May and hits theaters Friday, “a portrait of a menacing and damaged near-future.”