Picnic at Hanging Rock

Late in the 19th century, Hester Appleyard arrives in Australia, haunted by a secret past; she starts a school for girls, but the unthinkable happens on Valentine's Day 1900 when the enigmatic headmistress allows her pupils to picnic at Hanging Rock.

Hester's three star pupils and a governess have disappeared; local men search for the missing, led by a dogged sergeant; an aristocratic young Englishman, who was the last person to see the girls, returns to the Rock and makes a shocking discovery.

The missing Rothschild heiress, Irma Leopold, has been found unharmed but claiming to remember nothing; rumors spread and the sergeant turns his attention to the college; his investigation intensifies Hester's paranoia.

Hester struggles to contain mounting hysteria as aftershocks from the disappearance continue to disrupt the old order; a mysterious visitor summons memories of Hester's dark past; Sara seeks escape from the college.

French governess Mademoiselle is growing increasingly suspicious of Mrs. Appleyard's erratic behavior, and she fears the worst when she is told that Sara was unexpectedly collected by her guardian; a secret vow made by the missing girls is revealed.

Hester has grown increasingly certain that her vengeful husband is behind the disappearances and is coming after her; as she prepares to flee, the arrival of Sara's guardian provides conclusive proof of Mrs. Appleyard's lies.