Im an Aboriginal Australian I've been a fan of you Chris Stuckmann since 2014 and this is the first time ive ever seen you review a film that featured an Indigenous Australian actor. Thank you so much Chris.
@Buttrape Bill The actor in the movie is indigenous to Australia just like the person who started this thread and thanked Chris for reviewing a movie with an actor of that race
This film succeeds where other revenge flicks fail because of the excruciating level of empathy it builds for Clare and Billy. Your heart literally breaks for them.
@resurrected _JEW She realized she didn't want revenge, only justice. Fits in with what you would expect of mother archetype. Her guide Billy gets to fulfill the masculine archetype by bringing justice upon left tenant and sergeant.
Aaron Peters I felt that she was just really scared of him and just felt powerless and frozen when she saw him. Usually the case with abusers or oppressors over there victims. Similar with Theon in Game of Thrones!
Honestly I loved the realism of how she carried out her “justice”. She didn’t magically gain some superhuman strength and just start killing people left and right (ie I spit on your grave and every other revenge movie). She was broken mentally and weak physically..going on a murder spree wouldn’t have been possible for anyone in that state
This movie made me scream in literal horror. It was rough and I will never, ever EVER watch it again. With that said, I will still recommend it to all of my friends. Absolutely incredible in the most uncomfortable way.
Don't look away, anything that is debilitatingly Terrifying, instantly becomes Bearable as long as you can understand *exactly* what it is. (Compartmentalizing is also looking away btw) Never stop paying attention and Truthfully analyzing, in a horrible situation. Otherwise, both *it* and your *imagination* work together to destroy your ability to stand up. That's why people say "Don't blink, when you look into the abyss".
As a native Irish speaker, the Gaelic Irish in this film (An Ghaeilge) was absolutely spot on. It's the biggest delight to hear the Irish language in any medium. And as far as I'm concerned, this is far and away the best film to have the Irish langauge in it
I don't speak the language, but I heard Siúil a Rún playing all the time in my house as a kid and it was so painful to have Claire sing it. Reminds me that I'm related to people who went through this shit.
It's too controversial. In order for it to be nominated, people and critics need to vote for it. Honestly, I wouldn't even recommend it to my friends. I unconsciously closed my eyes and looked away during many scenes, so I technically didn't even see the whole movie. The parts I did see will haunt my nightmares, though
@@cobracurse The Oscars are voted by members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, if you wanted to fuck your way to an Oscar, that would be very impractical.
@@starhunter9085 when did he say it was "the worst violence ever"? he said it was "horrifically violent". which it is. but what makes it truly harsh is how the violence is portrayed. not as empty gratuitous dime a dozen torture porn where the audience can wince and snicker because it doesnt feel real, but as unblinking savagery committed on and by genuine human beings. not monsters or horror movie cartoon characters. as Chris says so well, "every single frame is dripping with authenticity which is what makes this so difficult to watch."
I didn't scream or got scared like some of the ppl on this comment section is saying. I literally cried throughout the whole film. So painful. This movie has zero jump scares, the scary(hurtful) thing is the reality of the story, of colonialism, racism, white men, the pain of the genocide of a race and a nation. Angry and hurt, is what i felt.
@@imibee5184her baby is murdered in front of her while shes being raped Another native women is also raped and murdered by the same white men. And the most horrific part is the aboriginal genocide. i cried so hard
This movie is 1 of the best I’ve seen ever. This movie felt so real . The main women in the movie deserved to win a Oscar she was so damn good and the guy played the tracker deserves a nomination this is the best movie I’ve seen this year
A Serbian Film definitely wasn't as bad as this. It was just typical horror/shock/snuff, I was able to watch it without getting sick, and the whole movie just seemed dream-like. So it was easy to forget. I even stomached Salo, although I had to pause it a couple times and I could never watch it by myself. But this one... it's just too real. It's not just brutal, it's extremely sad, relentlessly horrible. And it's a true story. I didn't even tell my friends about it.
@@happynewfears1805 The Nightingale isn't a true story, though it's accurate in its depictions of the time, it doesn't even begin to cover the true brutality of this era of Australia's history.
@@porte-majestuoso a serbian film was shock, schlock movie. it was so unrealistic and just full of gross out stuff it becomes like a comedy. this movie on the other hand is based on reality, and that makes it scarier than any gross out thing
omg, if that's true that's one of the saddest things and most touching responses you can get from a camera person. It must have been a really tough and emotionally rough scene.
Thor Hjorth ... SPOILER!!!.... there was 4 on-screen rapes in this movie and another just off screen. Plus an infant baby is killed. Are you even being serious?
I just finished this movie, and I need a long shower. This is a well-crafted film, but also... quite possibly the most disturbing movie that I’ve ever seen in my life. Chris isn’t kidding, guys. Viewer discretion is strongly advised.
@@anibamaathet-heru3582 A Serbian film feels more like a snuff film to me while the Nightingale was far more realistic with its depiction, which is what (to me) made it so much worse to watch. Hell, A Serbian Film even had some laughable scenes just because of how ridiculous it was at points. They're both disturbing, but the Nightingale is just...chilling. Really chilling.
Nah, A Serbian Film has more "brutal" scenes but isn't as disturbing...the reality behind The Nightingale and the dehumanization that...literally actually happened in Australia during colonial times just makes it way worse
She is my favorite performance all year. Just like you said, Sam Claflin's character has to be the most villainous person that I know of and I agree with all you said. With all the reports of people walking out , I was witness to one couple that left. It was on my 2nd viewing (the drive to the theater was very relaxing) that I saw a couple who left during "the scene". When the scene started a couple stood up and was about to leave. When they thought the scene was over, they were about to sit back down, but the scene got worse and they left. As horrific and violent as those "scenes" were in the movie, they still aren't as bad as the one scene I could never rewatch...and that is the subway tunnel scene in Irreversible.
@Masticatious Ikr? He got off easy, unlike that one guy who tried to crawl away in the "forest". It was anticlimactic when compared to all the evil stuff he did.
@@moomoopuppy5810 Yes!! But although I thought he really should have died in a far worst manner, this felt real as well. Too often guys like him die even peacefully away from their crimes and get away with them in their lives. See Josef Mengele, for example.
@@moomoopuppy5810 yes! I get so mad remembering this fact, but then I remember we call ourselves "the country of impunity". In a joking way, but also crying a bit hahaha
“At times, they overstayed their welcome” we’ll get that A+ next time boys UPDATE: THE LIGHTHOUSE DID IT! A+ BOYS!!!!!!!!! UPDATE 2: THE PARASITE?! “MOVIES ARE BACK!” -Chris Stuckmann 2019 UPDATE 3: WHAT THE HELL?!?! MARRIAGE STORY?!?! OH HELL YEAH! PEOPLE, DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND SUPPORT THESE MOVIES🔥
@@Inshallah_andStill not B movies just because the star power, but not A+. i am a fan of them though. at least A minus for Endgame & A for Infinity War.
@@scottieturner. it's just personal preference, but I compare Endgame and Infinity War to other films in the "A" or "A-" realm and they're just not as good.
I was recommended this film by a friend while asking for truly horrifying films. As a horror movie fanatic, I was growing tried of slashers and gore for the sake of gore and i wasn't really interested in this movie at first, but was bored one night and saw it was on hulu. I was told to always be on guard when viewing the film. After 15 minuets i had a rough idea of what the movie was going to be, but my god, i was not prepared to see this movie. I gasped and covered my eyes and cried. i have never cried in a horror/thriller film. To those who have not seen this movie (especially mothers) please, for the love of god, mentally prepare yourself. It is a tough, yet important, watch.
"I guess the new way to judge whether or not you gave an amazing performance in a film is if you're not nominated for an academy award" 😭 he went there
The editing of this film had me on edge, the weird waltz in the dark between the girl and her husband, the weird bird sounds during the dreams, the blending of a babies scream and some horrific animal...love it
@@csvega So only by liking it can I understand it? What kind of logic is that??? I disliked it because I understood it, and it wasn't what I'd hoped it would be.
@@csvega You might want to drop that argument for the future, it's not a good one. Disliking something usually requires a person to understand it first and using the "you just didn't understand it" argument generally makes it seem like the person saying it is the one who doesn't quite get it and is instead "seeing the muddy water as deep".
Holy shit, I remember seeing an interview with Jennifer Kent talking about how her next film would be a period piece. 5 years later here it is! I didn't even realize till he mentioned she directed it and my mind got blown.
Thanks for reviewing edgier content like this. Sounds great. I saw Luce yesterday, and was blown away. Please review it also, as it moved to the top of my (crowded) list for 2019.
This reminds me of the Witch. That opening scene with the baby was so insanely disturbing, and kind of rattled me. But then there wasn't a whole lot that's got to me the rest of the movie
This film gave the same feelings as the 1985 film Come and See. I felt terrible watching it, but I couldn’t look away because it was so compelling and so well crafted. Both films made me sad and angry to live in a world where such things could happen, but, despite that, I will probably watch both those films again because of their undeniable greatness.
No. I Spit On Your Grave is formulaic exploitation revenge horror designed to titillate as much as shock. This is a real and visceral journey of the soul and an unblinking graphic display of how human savagery on other humans has been the all too common norm for the history of our species. And how under extraordinary circumstances we can rise above our savagery and biases and become something better. This film in fact subverts the standard revenge narrative.
God this movie was a wild ride. It was one of the best movies I've seen in a really long time. It was so brutal and savage but it didn't feel exploitative or distasteful. The performances were outstanding - especially the lead. Her voice was captivating and her acting was incredible. I was hooked since the first scene and was so captivated i didn't even realize it was so long. I loved the Babadook so much and I was so excited to see this movie, and I was not disappointed. I can't wait to see what Jennifer Kent comes up with next.
Great review. I wept numerous times during this film, it's a tough watch, but see it, as Chris said, it's so visceral you can almost smell the scenes! It's an accurate depiction of the heinous cruelty under English colonialism, whether Lutruwita (Tasmania) or the many other nations/peoples that suffered beneath "the Crown". The parts, "as Gaeilge" (in Irish) were also accurate, the last beautiful song is: "Tiocadh an samhradh" that means "The summer will come", very apt and poetic for the film.
I agree, the performances were brilliant! Sam Claflin was unbelievably phenomenal I was honestly shocked! Jennifer Kent is one of my new favorite filmmakers now because of the risks she took in this. Like you, this film had me utterly shook. I’ve never been so unnerved during a film experience.
i watched The Nightingale last year and it absolutely ruined me. I can honestly say I’ll never watch it again but it’s still in my top 5 favorite movies. Im always suggesting people to watch it but including a trigger warning in my suggestion. Nevertheless an astounding movie. Truly a work of art
There's so many incredible talents coming out of Australia at the moment, yet it almost never stays here. Our local industry simply doesn't make ends meet. Kent must have had so many big offers off the back of the Babadook, so all credit to her that she decided to stay in Australia and make a uniquely Australian story again.
I was finally able to see this movie after i recieved my Mediabook-Edition BluRay and i could not agree more. Beautifully shot movie with horrific images and a deep deep statement against colonialism, racism and abuse of "lesser" people by people in a position of power. That feeling of hopelessness in your own country because of people who took it from you is so well represented. After i realized the real core of the story wasnt truely about personal revenge but this deep and emotional tale about respect and tolerance i was so immersed. Also all the ideas of showing the rough and dark history of Australia in such a gruesome and realistic way were very well implemented. And yet - it still worked also in the revenge-part of the story and gave you this deep understanding for her extremely firmly rooted fear of that man who took evrything from her. Even though she wanted to track him down the movie always questions if she will be able to do what she set out to do in the end. Brilliant ambivalence there and so perfectly acted. Maybe not an dense as The Babadook and definitely also not on the "light side" of Films, but 100% worth the watch.
Stuckman: Jennifer Kent proves to be one of our finest filmmakers. I'm going to give The Nightingale an A.... Yay! Woo hoo! (Sets off fireworks) The long drought is finally over! Stuckman: ...minus. Whaaa????
It was a very intense film, at times some raw heavy emotion during scenes. That you as viewer couldn't believe people could behave in such or in that manner with no conscious. 😢
I blindly watched this with no idea what I was getting into… Brutal for sure, but I wouldn’t call it “horror”. I cried throughout, and was left utterly speechless and stunned by the end. I couldn’t even move.
I just read the IMDb Parents Guide just so I could read what happens in this movie because I know I’m never going to watch it and OH MY WORD THAT ALL SOUNDS AWFUL HOLY CRAP
I saw The Nightingale last Friday night & I totally agree with everything Chris said. To be honest I was expecting it to be alot more contravesial than it was
As an Australian, I wish I could watch this sort of stuff but honestly I'm way too soft for it haha, the weeks of my life that it would mess up are not worth it.
Great review. I just saw this on Netflix. The film tackles tough subjects and does an outstanding job of showing this dark history realistically of discrimination, brutality, and injustice against the poor, the Irish, aborigines, and women. It shows Clair's suffering of PTSD realistically as well. I agree that it's an important film and I believe the graphic violence in the movie is needed to properly tell this story.
I aso think the ending is a reflection of the filmaker's whole statement of the reality of colonial oppression, and Aboriginal belief systems about death (spiritual journey at that point). Considering Billy's wish, and her continuing plight, it is both culturally sensitive, respectful, and at the same time sadly real.
I am still haunted by this movie 3 days after watching it. That said this is what movie making is all about, pure and simple. While violent and disturbing it delivered a strong message and content with brilliant content, so much so I watched it 2 more times and it still delivered the same shock effect. Brilliant and disturbing never felt so good and bad.
Yes julie, I am super excited to watch this film. Could you please tell me is it available on Netflix as I am from India so couldn't see it on Indian Platform.
The Nightingale is not a revenge story. You desperately want the female lead character to get her revenge but the film denies you the catharsis you are craving. In fact she voluntarily gives up seeking revenge. It's an incredibly disempowering film for women.
@@garrywilliams7330 I also did not like the main woman to be portrayed as weak.. But then it got me thinking that posibly women in that place and time were like that.
Jennifer Kent just KNOWS what scares me. I‘ve never ever been more afraid of a movie than the babadook. I‘ve never ever cried in the same way as while watching the nightingale. And it also had similar very scary elements like in the babadook.
I had to turn it off. My daughter is the same age as the one in the film. I got physically ill. 7 hours later and I still feel sick. I wish I could unsee this movie.
I felt sick as well, but this is still an incredible film and i would definitely watch it again. Human cruelty needs to be exposed, people need to be put face to face with these acts of evil that still happen to this day.
This movie hurt my soul, and it was brutal in a way I'd never expect. However, it was very good. It had a message that needed to be said, I reccomend it if you can handle it.
Personally... The ending was PERFECT. But, the scene just before the ending was, for me, dissatisfying. The justice was... underwhelming. Maybe because I was hyping Clare so much lol but I would have done the same tbh. She did what many of us wish we could have done to people who hurt us. But the film was fantastic and I can’t wait to watch it again.
Magus Moonglove okay so I watched it last night and had a bit of time to think about it, and I do agree. The justice was underwhelming. He deserved so much more. But realistically, considering where the captain was he was lucky to manage what he did. Once the characters were in the town their options were limited without giving themselves away. Authorities were everywhere.
100% agreed. Completely brilliant film on every level. It's hard to find a film that shows the real consquences of violence. Usually violence and comedy go hand in hand these days, for easier consumption.
This film absolutely shook me, at times I was sobbing, others I was frothing with anger. I was screaming on the inside. It's is a haunting watch, but it's one that I am happy I stuck with till the end. Billy is the man.
Chris, I have loved film since I was a kid looking for an escape. Your presentation, demeanor, and insight that you put into each and every review, is above anyone else, especially on youtube. You are easily my favorite film critic and have been for a long time. Thank you for the hard work and thought you put into your content. In a world with alot of bad movies, and even worse critics, your a a refreshing change.
I just finished watching the film, i would considered this one of my favorites, to me it's one of those movies you can only watch once, for example Require of a Dream, great movie, powerful acting, to me it wasn't that bad, but i was shaking with anger, with few of the parts in the movie, it does get you emotionally.... i would give the film an A+
Just love it when Chris does small films like these. Wow I'm so glad I watched this gem. Also, you get to see Lyanna Stark's acting chops. She's gorgeous.
I have finally watched this - having put it off for... years. And it is one of the best (but most brutal) films I've seen in a long time. Everyone should be made to watch this truth be told. Especially all those who crow about "empire" and the benefits of colonialism. I will be watching it again (with extreme difficulty) and ensuring that as many of the people I know have it rammed into them too. Essential viewing, and a genuinely masterful piece of cinema.
My god this woman is a talented producer I loved the movie hated what happened in it but as a movie it’s almost a masterpiece if not as this womb gets better she has the potential to make one of the greatest movies of all time
I watched it tonight after watching your review the other day. I was waiting for the moments which really got under your skin but I was disappointed that I couldn’t find anything gruesome or shocking or hard to watch. However movie was pretty damn good but totally at another level which you couldn’t see or tell.
Totally Agree! I was watching it with my wife, and too many times I gasped and felt I had to whisper to her after each horrific scene "I didn't expect it to be like this" uncomfortable to watch it is but it's all relevant as we have to be reminded how cruel a species we can potentially be.
i love how you talk about movies you like. Its so nice hearing a guy discuss things that are dear to him without them making a bunch of disclaimers beforehand reassuring the audience (and himself?) that they are certainly not same sex oriented.
