The Banshees of Inisherin: The Elemental Force of Depression

The Banshees of Inisherin is a sardonic, darkly comedic tale of the dissolution of a lifelong friendship and the collateral damage it inflicts on the world around it. Directed by Martin McDonagh, the film unfolds on the fictional Isle of Inisherin, centering on two focal characters: Pádraic (Colin Farrell) and Colm (Brendan Gleeson).

Pádraic, a young farmer known for his cheerful disposition yet dim-witted nature, contrasts sharply with Colm, an older…

The Worst Person in the World: How to Hold a Mirror to Modern Lovers

The Worst Person in the World is, by all accounts, a brilliant dissection of modern love and the awkward period of entering one’s 20s and 30s. Director Joachim Trier encapsulates the whimsical directionlessness of young Julie, portrayed by Renate Reinsve, a woman full of aspirations but lacking the maturity to follow through with them. Through Julie’s eyes, we experience the typical indecisiveness of a young romantic…

Undine: An Expansion on the Turmoil of Modern Love Through Thematic Symbolism and Resonance

After watching Christian Petzold’s Undine, I am left in a state of wistful melancholy. The film touched my heart and soul on a deeply personal level with its poignant portrayal of the ever-present turmoil that plagues modern romance. Undine masterfully intertwines the complexities of contemporary relationships with the ethereal elements of a centuries-old fairytale: the myth of the Undine water nymphs.

Undine, portrayed by Paula Beer,…

Red Rooms: How to Properly Play on the Fears of Technology and Subvert Expectations

Words can hardly capture the disturbingly intriguing nature of Pascal Plante’s Red Rooms. This French-Canadian film follows Kelly-Anne, portrayed by Juliette Gariepy, a young woman who becomes increasingly obsessed with the high-profile criminal trial of Ludovic Chevalier. Ludovic, portrayed by Maxwell McCabe-Lokos, is a man accused of the heinous torture and subsequent murder of three young girls.

Ludovic’s crimes have dominated national headlines due to their…