You Were Never Really Here

You Were Never Really Here is a dark and intense psychological thriller from acclaimed British director Lynne Ramsay. The film was released in 2017 and starred Joaquin Phoenix in the lead role, with Judith Roberts and Ekaterina Samsonov playing supporting roles. The film's thrilling story, rich aesthetics, and stellar performances, especially from Phoenix, have earned it widespread critical acclaim.

In this movie, Joaquin Phoenix delivers a scintillating performance as Joe, a combat veteran and a former FBI agent, who is now a contracted rescuer of trafficked girls. Phoenix plays the character with a raw, corrosive intensity, portraying him not only as an extractor of justice, wrestling with the demons of his traumatic past but also as a beleaguered soul, emotionally damaged and barely holding on to his sanity.

Phoenix's career-best performance as Joe is matched with the equally remarkable performance of Judith Roberts who plays Joe's elderly dementia-ridden mother. She provides a crucial counterpoint to Joe's violence, offering a glimpse into his softer side. But it's perhaps their interactions that heighten the film's tragic undercurrent, infusing it with an air of tenderness amidst the brutality.

On the other hand, young Ekaterina Samsonov perfectly plays the role of Nina Votto, a senator's daughter, who is at the center of the plot. Samsonov is delicate yet tough, fragile yet resilient, embodying a stunningly nuanced performance that leaves a lasting impact.

The narrative of the movie is taut, revealing its details sparingly and leaving much to the interpretation of viewers. The creators have not focused on gratuitous violence, but rather underlined each cruel act with grim finesse. Moreover, Ramsay's style of storytelling is deeply immersive. The fragmented, dreamlike sequences create an intensely distressing atmosphere that mirrors Joe's psychological state, plunging the audience into his disintegrating mindset.

This film also excels in other technical aspects of the cinema. The cinematography by Thomas Townend is resplendent, capturing the dark, grime-infused visuals with a brutal honesty that embodies the bleak outlook of the film. The disorienting quality of the visuals heightens the psychological tension, taking the audience along Joe's path of violence and redemption. The sound design of the film is equally impressive, with Jonny Greenwood's haunting score perfectly accentuating the film's dark, gritty ambiance.

You Were Never Really Here also poses weighty questions about the primal human propensity for violence and the devastating impact of trauma. Through Joe's desperate attempts to save Nina, the film extends an unflinching examination of individuals who fall victim to society's sinister underbelly.

Overall, You Were Never Really Here is not your standard fare. It's an mentally challenging thriller that delves deep into the human psyche, delivering an intense cinematic experience that leaves a lasting impact. The film's pulsating narrative, acting prowess, and technical mastery translate into a deeply rewarding cinematic experience. However, it also offers a warning—it's painfully explicit in its depiction of haunting grief and brutality, making it a film that's not meant for the fainthearted.