First and foremost, Lars von Trier’s Antichrist is an unsettling tale in its morbid character study under the circumstances of a lost child, the sexual nature of the film, and the mutilation and violence that arise in the film. But the film is extremely affective and beautifully shot with daring and brave turns by the two actors involved.
With all of this said I don’t think I could ever find another reason to watch this film again but not because I didn’t think it was good, but because it is such a messed up experience. The violence, the disturbed emotion state of She (Charlotte Gainsbourg), the beautifully shot but heartbreaking tragedy of the prologue, the mutilation, the mind f*** of the later part of the film, it is all very unsettling. If you think you can stomach this though the film is beautifully realized and intriguingly bizarre.
The film, in brief, follows He (Willem Dafoe) and She as they cope and She battles her inner demons over the loss of their son in a tragic accident. He is a therapist who is trying to help his wife She as they try different copping methods and strategies to get over their loss which eventually leads them to a family cabin in the woods of Eden. From here, things begin to get a bit out there. [Read more...]