Au commencement

Uncomfortable to watch almost throughout with an underlying tension, like a low sustain. It's shot in a fairly unique, beguiling and beautiful style. The lead actress especially acts with incredibly rawness, fitting with the inherent rawness of the film. A hard to watch artistic film and maybe not for everyone, but it has stuck with me.

NB I saw this on MUBI, which currently tacks on a 30min Q&A between the director and Luca Guadagnino - who was chair of the jury that awarded this film so richly. Without going too much into spoiler territory, this Q&A is very interesting, and the director very thoughtful, lively and entertaining.

As for the film, I found it very engaging, if slow. The lead actor's performance is the main draw, and IMHO she does an excellent job of quietly demonstrating the inner turmoil that grows in reaction to her situation at the beginning of the film, and the shocking events during the narrative.

The use of the fable of Abraham and Isaac at the beginning is key, I think, although perhaps I'm reading too much into it?

Worth a look though.

Well made, realistic movie that does at times feel a little bloated. Like did we really need to watch her sleep in the forest for like 10 minutes? But it did exhibit a high-level of craft, and when things actually DO happen it's genuinely shocking, even riveting. Kinda slow for comic book, CGI loving "American audiences". But I don't think the filmmaker minds that one bit.

First good things...about feminism,very interesting portrayal of a main female character. Beautifully shot with main actress really good. Some scenes are shot for sake of it( long still take). Finally as an atheist the religious part of the movie is frustrating so can't get warm to the movie

This film impressed me by its cinematic timing and the use of silence. It became more and more deep with time, I cannot stop thinking and rethinking some scenes. The director started with a powerful scene that gets more layers of reading along the film. The scene by the river, at night, with fairy enough light to see in the darkness made wonder about how light can be perceived and how it affect the action in frame. The sound coming from out of frame also makes us complete the scenes beyond the limits of the frame, however, it expands the perception of the space even if we dont see more things in frame.