Irreversible (2002)
HIGH LEVEL SEXUAL VIOLENCE, GRAPHIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ACTIVITY
| Director: | Gaspar Noe |
| Actors: | Vincent Cassel, Monica Bellucci, Jo Prestia, Philippe Nahon, Stephane Drout, Jean-Louis Costes, Albert Dupontel, Mourad Khima |
Even for a director that has been known to invite controversy in films such as Sodomites (1998), Seul contre tous (I Stand Alone) (1998), and Carne (1991), Noé’s Irreversible can still be considered the ultimate in bravura filmmaking. An emotional odyssey that unspools in reverse from gut-wrenching violence to sweetly observed moments of sublime tenderness, the film stars Monica Bellucci and real-life husband Vincent Cassel as a couple whose story is told over the course of a fateful evening in a series of long takes. The film features two unsettling and graphic scenes of violence and sexuality that are difficult to watch. However, these grim sights are nestled within a carefully constructed -- although unconventional -- narrative which serves as a counterpoint to moments of striking tenderness, and the film is in some ways a study of darkness and light.
| Status: | QuickPick |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 94mins |
| Origin: | FRANCE |
| Aspect Ratio: |
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Member Reviews (91)
91 Member
Reviews
Vertigo
says
Two stars for Monica Belucci and a star for Gaspar Noe trying to be original (and weird). The movie was sickening and disgusting - all expected and delivered. I know the camera work was meant to be like that but it gave me a headache. I don't think I can recommend this movie.
BRAVE
says
Not as good as "I stand alone" but still very good! Challenging viewing, brave film-making!
says
Brave film making. Its supposed to make you feel uncomfortable
Amanda L
says
There are alot of negative comments here....What people fail to realise is that it has an "R" rating.....perhaps look into the film before you rent it?? I mean they dont rate fims rfor no reason yes its extremely graphic....Monica stars with her real life husand in this film there are 2 very difficult & confronting scenes to watch doesnt mean you trash the whole movie.....if you dotn like violence then dont watch it
Morgan
says
Disgusting.
Gai
says
sent it straight back
without watching...
Not our type of movie at all.
Nigel W
says
The shocking events of a day shown told in reverse. A novel approach to narrative which begins in virtual chaos and winds down from then on. Two very graphic violent scenes are shown which stir controversy. Other than drawing attention to itself it doesn’t offer much of substance.
Denise
says
Don't waste your time. Crappy camera work, crappy story, crappy dialogue, lots of sleazy people. Life's too short.
heather
says
Disturbing
Veronika
says
Certainly challenging to watch and the camera work in the first half is tiring and unnecessary to that extent.
It was still a movie worth watching
Dave J
says
The violence maybe hard for some viewers to take but it was real, this is what violence is really like. As for the backwards running of the movie, I think this is the only way to make it interesting. It is no Momento though (one of my all time favourite movies).
V J P
says
Firstly, if you're sensitive to motion sickness, flashing strobe effects, graphic violence and horrific sex scenes this isn't for you. If you can get past this, however hard it may be (I'm still getting over the fire extinguisher scene), you will witness a thoroughly engrossing, mind bending experience through a dark and twisted journey where Revenge is the only answer. Its extremely well made and very original, still, its hard to get past the two scenes that this movie is famous for. The acting on the other hand is A+.
Michelle
says
If you can sit through the first 30 minutes of Gaspar Noe's 'Irreversible' the rest of the movie is a piece of cake.
Noe casts us directly into the confusion and horror of the main characters. The hand held camera shakes with flashes of light, violence and chaos as we begin our journey at the movie climax and soothe our nerves for the remaining minutes of the film where (nervously) we wait and learn where the anger and violence began.
Noe takes us to angry place where the lines between devotion, abuse, revenge, love and hate are blurred. You will love or despise this film, but you will never forget it.
This movie is not for the faint-hearted. The violence of the first scenes, are shocking. But the most difficult scene for me was the rape: a senseless, horrific attack on an innocent that disturbed my viewing partner so much they left the room.
Lauren
says
Wasn't my kind of film
ellemay
says
I was very disappointed in this DVD I could not understand the story and the effects were very hard on the eyesNot one i would recommend to anyone
Krzystoff
says
this film is incredibly intense -- the title is describes best how it will leave you feeling: you can never reverse having watched -- as the willing voyeur, you become a party to the rape, whilst your mind is raped on another level. certainly that drawn-out scene isn't the most violent, but I didn't feel it needed supplementation as suggested here. the cinematography of the cut scenes are unsettling, it takes repeat viewing to absorb everything as scenes replay reverse-wards.
ultimately, if you enjoy slasher flicks, this is a cut above most, and perhaps serves as a warning to would-be Parisian tourists.
David A.
says
A disturbing movie which I think panders to those who seek to lower humanity to a sea of perverted lost souls giving into their emotions and living only for self gratification in the moment with no thought or care of the consequences of their actions. This move serves no entertainment purpose. A turn off in the first 10 minutes. If I could rate this lower, I give it a negative rating.
Catherine B.
says
I fell asleep. It was dreadful. Probably a bit like "The Emperor's New Clothes" - how fabulous, how confronting, how contentious .... how absolute rubbish!
Catherine B.
says
I fell asleep. It was dreadful.
Hannah H.
says
Not our sort of movie.
Rating 0
Amanda S.
says
I didn't like this movie at all. The violence was a bit too much for me and the camera work for the first half of the film drove me crazy. Not my cup of tea at all.
John N.
says
The dimly lit first half, with the camera continually circling and a strobe light intermittently wandering across the screen, makes it hard to fathom exactly what's happening. When light is slowly restored we are treated to two, long scenes of extreme violence. Stamina and a strong stomach are needed for this one. Better - don't waste your time.
Param
says
Brutal and revolting esp the rape scene.
Strange how no one turns up in the tunnel for that long.... anyway guess if thats the storyline... it stays that way.
Surley not a movie for the weakhearted.
Henry Rick
says
This film is of a genre that will appeal to those who enjoy very modern shock movie making who do not suffer from epilepsy, giddiness, and vertigo
Heather W.
says
Deals with sexual violence and revenge with the gravitas that it deserves, as a result it is definitely worth watching, but it will stay with you for days.
The violence is very realistic and unflinching. Moreso as the movie allows us to know the main characters in a very personal way in the last half.
If like me you suffer from motion sickness the first ten minutes are going to be difficult on a physical level as the cinematographer goes crazy with the camera and cuts dips and swoops like a drunk fly.
This does stop after a time however (right when you want to obscure what you are seeing as it happens) so stick with it.
ka-tet
says
Holy rhymes with duck! First a mirror image of sex, from the seedy sadomasochistic club to an abhorrent rape. Gasper Noe then shows the viewer the playful even loving side of sex, a place that belongs to the victim alone. Whilst playing in reverse the beginning is perhaps the end as the fading strobe effect implies a final refuge to her safe place.
Davey Jones
says
The rape scene is equisitely moving and traumatic to watch
John B.
says
I might have enjoyed it if the cameras had been still long enough to see what was happening!
Bo
says
This movie is very hard to watch. While it is very good and very moving, it may leave you with images you wish you'd never seen. If you wish to watch it just to prove it how tough you are, do not bother. This is not a movie for you.
Brett
says
This movie is over-rated. It has a very disturbing rape scene, lots of graphic male nudity, jerky camera movements and a strange narrative where the movie starts at the end of the story and then has a series of flashbacks to explain what happened. The ending is pathetic and I found the whole movie to be pretty tiresome.
Adam G.
says
A shocking and riveting movie with some almost unwatchable moments. The rape scene is particularly brutal and moving.
Cris
says
took me a few scenes to get into this movie, im not into extreme violence that borders on snuff. having said that, gotta admit once i got into it i was transfixed, prob coz at times it almost felt TOO real. it was nice watching something that made me think/analyze/react for a change, altho the initial camerawork almost made me motion sick..
Gary G.
says
too violent for me
Colin K.
says
Not the easiest film to watch but well worth the effort. Very confronting. Extremely unusual way of shooting a film
Andre C.
says
Leanne R.
says
John F.
says
Once I got over annoyance at the camerawork at the beginning (or the end, if you will), I found this movie to be quite engrossing. More art than entertainment, I certainly wouldn't recommend it to everyone.
Vin B.
says
tooo brutall
Alan M.
says
Waste of time
Sasha A.
says
pushes the boundaries which films should do, if you go to escape..dont bother but i loved it
David L.
says
Patrick B.
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JW
says
Susan D.
says
I'm not really sure if I actually should have watched this movie, it was hard to follow, the camera angles sometimes made me feel a bit ill and the violence scenes were nothing short of horrific, put it this way, I would not watch it again, but am glad that I have seen it.
Alistair L.
says
distrubing - hard to watch
Matt H.
says
an eye opening and powerful experience
Karli
says
Shocked me senseless. Don't watch this with a friend... I think you need to be alone to process your revulsion. It may mess up your good night's sleep, maybe even your outlook on being an attractive woman in today's society. That's the idea! How a husband and wife acted in this movie together I will never know.
Suzy B.
says
Powerfull, and revolting at times. Shocking, yet I could not look away. Sometimes too believable. Amazing long single shots.
Perry A.
says
Absolute rubbish. Camera work is bad as is the music. Movie starts backwards and confuses the hell out of you.
sparks
says
Fascinating. If nothing else, the film will shock and surprise you. However, it is beautifully directed and assembled, the editing is flawless.
Peter F.
says
arianrhod.darkwing
says
Some of the most graphic violence I've seen - I found myself fast forwarding through the bashing scenes, and I normally have a strong stomach. However, it's worth seeing the extras to see how it was done. Aside from the violence, this movie really tells a sad, somewhat fatalistic story. Everyone's actions on that day, and their beliefs, set them on a path which is irreversible. With the order of scenes being reversed, some of the details are lost when the violence occurs; for example, the full horror and tragedy of the rape scene manifests as we see the scenes from the beginning of the day (which occurs toward the end of the movie). I found myself very moved by the opening scene (which is shown last) - the sweet tranquility of it is overshadowed by the background music (go Beethoven!), and our foreknowledge of what is about to occur.
Brendan G.
says
Gratuitious, violent and pornographic. Who needs it?
Matthew B.
says
If you like graphic violence, poor camera work and a total lack of plot this movie is for you. No seriously ... this movie is abysmal.
Peter B.
says
Confronting is a good word for it. Entertaining? If you like it in your face. It is interesting though to see how one's empathies and feelings towards the characters change as the events preceeding the first scene get reavealed. At the beginning of the film I took an immediate dislike for the main character but as the film unfolds I began to justify his actions Interesting method of telling a story.
DAVE
says
this is the worst movie I have ever started watching. i did not finish it owing to the poor quality,violence and absolute trash. I t should not be listed
Peter H.
says
One for the homophobes who like a bit of gratutious violence.
Daniel J.
says
Greg W.
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William S.
says
Hanky Panky
says
Great Stuff!! Beware of the hardcore action though!
William Solomon
says
Robert
says
Do your mind, body and soul a fovour and choose another (preferably uplifting) movie. Life is too short to waste time watching this bleak and gruesomely violent film. Not just "dark", more like vile. An hour and a half epileptic fit that can easily be avoided.
Bronwynn
says
This movie will probably haunt you after watching it. with scenes of anal rape and graphic killing with a fire extinguisher. What is also annoying is the rapist wasn't the one that got killed! One of those movies you wish you hadn't watched, except maybe that it gives you an insight into the minds of people you'd prefer society didn't have.
Tania Davis
says
Dale
says
I'm sure it is considered an artistic masterpiece, but the violence was so sensational and gruesome it ruined my night.
Paul Campbell
says
Gratuitous violence and indulgent
Sam Samai
says
Kelvin Aw-Yang
says
This film literally unfolds in reverse order! The strobe effects at the beginning (and end) are visually painful to watch, but do alert the viewer to the disturbing tale that lay ahead. The violence and unusual camera angles make this film a little difficult to watch, but, all told, it is a sensible social commentary. Worth a watch.
Joanne Ward
says
All over the place dark ,violent, boring
Stefano Boscutti
says
Craig Hill
says
Giving this a 'maybe' rating as it will depend totally on your taste.Some very graphic and confronting scenes - a bit too hardcore for me.
BarryF
says
The synopsis says this movie is 'thoroughly rewarding', but I found it just the opposite. To fully understand the plot one would have to watch it at least twice, and there is no way you would get me to do that, particularly to have to relive the gratuitous and extreme violence.
Matt Moran
says
pullok
says
Philip Chia
says
says
Gruesome and pointless!
Patricia Tsiatsias
says
Hang in there with this one cause it all makes sense in the end. Must be watched from beginning to end even through the confronting scenes.
Varun Dixit
says
Mark Risby
says
Inawati Kurniawan
says
The movie is okay, but I just don't like the way they shot it from the side from the top...it gave people a headache i think...
William Mcgee
says
The topsy turvy shots become a little annoying after a while, but the film does leave a lasting impression. Very violent, but not as bad as some would have you believe. Not a good film but not a complete waste of time either.
Trevor Harrison
says
Linc
says
Provocative with "Memento" style cinematography
Michael
says
Seriously disturbing scenes but very well made. Needs more (consented) sex scenes to counter the other scenes.
Simon Casdagli
says
Eamonn Lawlor
says
says
Mei Li
says
Stephen Dalziel
says
John Chu
says
Very confronting to say the least. But nevertheless, keeps you watching, to the end. If you're at all squeamish about violence or graphic sexuality, beware.