Break Me Down cover art

Break Me Down

An audio exclusive starring Yael Stone, Remy Hii and a full cast

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Break Me Down

By: Anna Downes
Narrated by: Yael Stone, Remy Hii, Alan Zhu, Elisa Colla, Anna Downes, Aimee Horne, Lyanna Kea, Airlie Dodds, Taylor Owynns, Jeremy Waters, Angela Tran
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About this listen

A Penguin Audio Exclusive, narrated by a full cast: Yael Stone, Elisa Colla, Anna Downes, Remy Hii, Aimee Horne, Lyanna Kea, Airlie Dodds, Taylor Owynns, Jeremy Waters, Alan Zhu and Angela Tran.

After years of seclusion, the once-celebrated Australian child star Georgia Lane moves to Los Angeles, determined to make a comeback. But as auditions elude her and bills pile up, she quickly realises that beneath the glitzy facade, LA is a ruthless and unforgiving city.

That is until she meets Henry, an aspiring actor, who sweeps her off her feet, connects her with his agent and brings her to audit a class at the elite acting studio he attends. It's here that Marianna, The Studio's head teacher, takes a special interest in Georgia. As she steps into the intense, ego-driven world of The Studio, Georgia finds herself challenged and invigorated by its unconventional methods, which promise to unlock her full potential, but demand much more in return.

The more she commits to its ways, the more The Studio transforms into a battleground of ambition, jealousy and psychological warfare. With each step forward, she feels the grip of her past tightening, Henry's love turning on her and Marianna's mentorship becoming all-consuming. And as the lines between the pursuit of art and the survival of the self begin to blur, everything Georgia holds dear starts slipping away, revealing the true price of a dream.

Break Me Down is a testament to the power of art to heal, destroy and, ultimately, transform.

©2025 Anna Downes (P)2025 Penguin Random House Australia Audio
Psychological Thriller & Suspense

Critic Reviews

'A master storyteller' - HAYLEY SCRIVENOR

'Absolutely addictive' - SALLY HEPWORTH

'Emotionally charged' - CHRISTIAN WHITE

'Immersive and chilling' - CANDICE FOX

All stars
Most relevant
Yael Stone is a dead ringer for Nicole Kidman at her most creepy, and that was really cool, so was the main narrator, I loved the way they worked together in their scenes. But this story told me nothing and spent a long time doing it. The podcast episodes were a lot of speculation but we didn't learn what (if anything) was accurate. I think there may have been an insinuation that abuse victims become cult leaders (but what was the actual point of the cult? what was Marianna actually trying to do?). A lot of people pretending to cry (or maybe they were supposed to really be crying) and some horrible people doing horrible things and getting away with it, but not in a way that felt like it meant to? Confusing and, unfortunately, a bit disappointing.

A little flat

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Picked this one up because of a recommendation from another author I really love, and I don't understand the point of this story, I listened to the author's note at the end hoping to get some clue, but it felt as confused and half-baked as the story itself. The character motivations were vague, and I was really uncomfortable with the insinuation that abuse survivors could have been making things up. When Mia Farrow is still dealing with those accusations while Woody Ellen roams free, not to mention all the survivors of the MeToo movement who had no justice, that's really icky messaging, all for a story that doesn't offer anything besides self indulgence. Production was pretty solid, some of the actors were way better than the others. Wish I'd given this one a miss, unfortunately.

2.5 stars

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I loved how the story built in suspense and drew you in to Georgia’s world, making you question the truth the further it went. The casting was brilliant - Yael Stone was chilling! - and the sound effects made it feel like you were beside the characters.

Fascinating psychological thriller with an amazing cast

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The full cast and sound design hooked me from the start and brings the unsettling vibe to life perfectly! It's unlike any other audiobook I've listened to. Definitely recommend!

Such a unique listen!

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.