Lars von Trier, the director of films such as Breaking the Waves, Dancer in the Dark and Dogville, has never been shy of controversy. His films often have a dark, grim outlook on human nature, with stark cinematography and editing that create a look that is distinctly his own. This often results in people having opposing view as to whether his work finds the beauty in ugliness, or are just plain ugly. Despite this reputation, Antichrist may very well be his most controversial movie to date. Charlotte Gainsbourg and Willem Defoe play a couple that are grieving for their son who dies at the beginning of the film under tragic circumstances. Willem Defoe's character, being a therapist, believes that he can treat his wife for her depression and panic that follow from this event, and so they move to a secluded cabin in a forest so that she can confront her fears. Things don't go as planned and the film leads towards some of the most horrific violence that you could imagine seeing on screen.
No matter how you feel about this film, there's no denying that you will react to it on some level. Lars von Trier is a master of provocation. Disgust, outrage, beauty, anger, sadness, revulsion, these are some of the things that come to mind when I was watching this movie. From the sheer confrontational and upfront way that he shows certain scenes of graphic mutilation, it would be easy for many people to walk away feeling nothing but sickened by what they have seen.
However, if you can stomach these scenes and look past the bloodshed, you will definately get more out of this viewing experience. There are multiple moments that are made up of breathtaking slow motion, the prologue in particular is amazingly hypnotic. The performances by the two leads are also commendable, as it is astounding the level of commitment that these two actors will go to in order to achieve von Trier’s vision.
Antichrist is not an easy going experience, but in many ways, it is also an unforgettable experience. The never-ending debate as to whether Lars is an individual genius or maddening sadist will continue to go on as it has in the past but both opinions seem somewhat irrelevant to me. With most filmgoers being so hardened by what they have seen in other movies, perhaps it takes a filmmaker like Von Trier to come along and kick us all in the guts every once in awhile. Whether or not we like it is besides the point, so long as we feel it.
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