The Revenant - Review

"As long as you can still grab a breath, you fight. You breathe… keep breathing" – A review of The Revenant. 

I've often daydreamed about living in the middle of nowhere. The idea of being off grid, independent and free is so exciting to me. I like to pretend I'd know how to survive after the countless hours I've put into playing survival games like The Forest and The Long Dark – even though The Long Dark literally warns against trying to use the game to learn survival skills – but I must admit, the reality would probably be ever so slightly different than the romantic view I have.

Some films are as breathtakingly beautiful as they are brutal, and The Revenant is certainly one of them. Released in 2015 and directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, this is an absolutely gripping film of survival which I absolutely loved.

The film follows Hugh Glass, a frontiersman fighting for survival after being viciously mauled by a bear (yes, okay this sounds less fun than my romantic ideals of wild living) and left for dead by his own crew in the wilds of 1820s America, making the story a tense tale of endurance, betrayal, and revenge. Glass's journey across the wilderness is relentless, his struggle against the elements and his determination to track down the man who betrayed him makes for an unforgettable watch.

At its heart, The Revenant explores the unforgiving power of nature and the resilience of the human spirit. It's all about survival, but it also digs deep into ideas of vengeance, forgiveness, and what it means to push past the limits of pain. The film asks big questions - how much can one man endure, and what drives him to keep going when all hope seems lost?

Leonardo DiCaprio is incredible as Hugh Glass. He barely speaks, but you feel every ounce of his pain, determination, and fury. Tom Hardy, playing the villainous John Fitzgerald, is equally compelling - gritty, dangerous, and unpredictable. Domhnall Gleeson and Will Poulter offer solid performances, but it's DiCaprio's and Hardy's on-screen presence that steals the show. Their performances deeply intense, adding layers to the characters that make the story even more gripping.

If there's one thing The Revenant does incredibly well, it's the look and feel. The wilderness is captured in all its glory and terror, using natural light to make every shot feel real and raw. The sweeping landscapes and close-ups put you right there in the cold, making you shiver along with Glass. The sound design is equally powerful, from the crunch of snow to the roar of river rapids, and the score by Ryuichi Sakamoto and Alva Noto adds a haunting edge. Together, the visuals and audio create an atmosphere that's both beautiful and brutal - an experience you won't soon forget.

The Revenant is a genuinely brilliant film. Sure, it's not an easy watch – there are moments of real violence and hardship which really stay with you – but the journey is so worth taking. Brilliant performances, stunning visuals, and a story that gets under your skin make this a must-see for anyone who loves cinema. If you're after something raw, visually spectacular, and genuinely moving, you'll love The Revenant.

Written by Tam Page

Posted by Mr. Tomney

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