- Sensibility: As wildly as the story progresses, the story proceeds fairly sensibly other than some oddly timed and ridiculous violence
- Cinematography: Production design is perfect, capturing a type of Mid-Western living and class that helps define the characters and contextualize the story excellently. Shot making and framing
are of the highest caliber. However, I think there are some moments where the camera is so active in the scene that it breaks the immersion in the narrative, even if the movements are excellent.
- Energy: Awesome tension-building watch that explodes in a fiery, violent ending. However, it takes a bit too long to hit the high points.
- Narrative: The story progresses so insanely and tackles so many issues. This works to the advantage of the films capturing of paranoia and hypocritical activism but also leaves some aspects of the story unfinished. It's hard to take away meaning from the narrative or a
political stance or ideology, and this is likely intentional; the film reflects the near universal lack in unique opinions and critical thought, where media influences and bandwagon mentalities dominate the political and social space.
- T-Points: The film received four bonus points: one for a great opening shot focused on the sheriff lit only by the flashing blue and red lights of another police car, one for a shot of Louise standing hauntingly in the driveway preparing to leave, one for an incredibly choreographed and framed sequence of camera movements during a long, violent shooting sequence, and one for a
series of shots of long-range gun-shots aimed towards the camera which is a perfect blend of sound design, visuals, and stunt work. The film gets very involved in a series of relationships, which then all turn out to be somewhat secondary to the climax of the film.
A crazy film with so much going on it's hard to enjoy it all on the first watch. Not my favorite Ari Aster by a long shot, but calling this his worst when it is still an undeniably great film feels over-dramatic.
Number of Watches: 2
