You Were Never Really Here
Director: Lynne Ramsay
Actors: Joaquin Phoenix, Judith Roberts, Ekaterina Samsonov
PlotA traumatized and grizzled war veteran with a dark past has become a hired gun, specializing in rescuing trafficked girls. He operates with quiet efficiency, employing brutal but necessary force, using a hammer as his signature weapon. His methodical life is a cycle of physical violence and self-inflicted punishment, as he struggles with suicidal thoughts and the heavy burden of his own psychological scars. Amidst the backdrop of his fragmented relationship with his elderly mother, who resides with him, his combat skills are not only an asset for his missions but also a means to keep the demons of his past at bay.
When he is contracted to save the missing daughter of a high-profile politician, his job spirals into an unexpected abyss. As he tracks down the girl, he uncovers a network of corruption and abuse that extends far beyond the usual criminal underworld. The stakes are heightened as he confronts an escalating chain of deceit and violence that threatens to consume him. His mission becomes more complex and personal, challenging his already unstable sense of reality and pushing him towards a point of no return. The deeper he delves into this mission, the more he exposes the endless cycle of abuse he's pitting himself against, raising questions about salvation and redemption.
Writers: Lynne Ramsay, Jonathan Ames
Release Date: 06 Apr 2018
Runtime: 89 min
Rating: R
Country: United Kingdom, France, United States
Language: English
Home Video Reviews
Engaging yet divisive, Ramsay's film marries style with substance in a complex, rewarding watch. Recommended.
Read our review of You Were Never Really Here Blu-ray to find out more