Antichrist (2009)

Directed by: Lars von Trier | 104 minutes | drama, horror | Actors: Willem Dafoe, Charlotte Gainsbourg

Lars Von Trier is a director who masters several genres. With ‘Breaking the Waves’ he created a masterly melodrama and in ‘Dancer in the Dark’ a sublime musical with a dramatic undertone. ‘Antichrist’ is a penetrating suspense thriller and horror film that will not leave the viewer unmoved. Von Trier wrote the screenplay of ‘Antichrist’ after a period of severe depression, he was deeply depressed and those feelings still resound in the film. Von Trier is not the type of director who avoids controversies and this film more or less guarantees that. ‘Antichrist’ is not a standard work for the recipe for a relaxing evening watching a movie.

The death of their child during a violent lovemaking places a heavy blame on the parents. Could they have prevented the fateful fall? The mother (Charlotte Gainsbourg) is deeply reproached, falls into a deep depression and is nursed in an institution. Her husband (Willem Dafoe), who is a psychotherapist himself, disagrees with the treatment and the heavy drugs used there. They decide to continue the treatment at home. In order to optimally combat the fears she has, they eventually decide to isolate themselves in their hut ‘Eden’, far away in the woods. There he further unleashes her fears in a coolly analytical and professional manner, but at the same time also releases the evil that reigns in her. Unpredictable and uncontrollable powers are unleashed in her and a tremendous psychological and physical clash ensues between them. The woman takes control of the situation and the roles are reversed. She takes revenge and he becomes her physical and psychological prisoner. A destructive battle with far-reaching consequences develops….

The screenplay demands a lot from the only two actors present: the film sometimes contains explicit images. Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg both play masterfully. Their moods and feelings, the anger, sadness and evil in them is extremely strongly expressed. Musical accompaniment is almost completely absent, but is strongly supportive at the few moments where it is present. Everything is concentrated on the visual language, realistic and sometimes very surreal à la Hieronymus Bosch. The dialogues are razor sharp. Cinematographically, it is technically excellent, sublime mostly monochrome colors and beautiful camera work greatly enhance the oppressive atmosphere.

Viewers’ opinions on ‘Antichrist’ are expected to be very divided. ‘Antichrist’ is not the kind of film that leaves you indifferent as a spectator. Much of the partly religious symbolism of Good and Evil has been incorporated into the scenario, which sometimes results in grotesque expressions. For any serious movie buff, this is a movie that should nevertheless be seen. Fascinating and perhaps sometimes too shocking for some, but above all cinema and material that compels you to watch. The discussion will follow after that.