User reviews

The film knows exactly what it's audience would like to see, but what it's withholding is integral to it's statement. This can be a difficult pill to swallow as it forgoes many of the simple pleasures of a conventional movie, testing both your patience and suspension of disbelief in the process.

It makes a group of terrorists into the central protagonists, but makes no attempt to offer any explanation for their actions. You keep waiting for a big reveal that will make it all seem justified, but it's absence leaves the film in a moral purgatory.

They come together to stage their attack in an almost heist movie like fashion, without any of the flair of say, Oceans 11. Then they retreat to a mall, which functions artistically to highlight the consumerist hypocrisy of our would be anarchists, but also makes absolutely no sense to the literal narrative, as it's clearly a terrible hiding place.

The pacing is deliberately slow, encouraging the audience to read between the lines of the minutia, though it does occasionally pick up at points. While it does seem to succeed at it's own intentions, it's impenetrable minimalism will probably alienate all but the most tolerant film buffs.

I did not expect anything special with this movie but certainly not this I just watched. And I was not disappointed at all. But surprised, yes. A very interesting point of view about terrorism for sure, and different from the MADE IN France aspect. Here, a group of young men and women in their early twenties, and also from different race and class origins, not ISIS prototypes, decide to pull four different bomb explosions in Paris, and simultaneously. And just after this done, they shelter in a big and fancy department store. The first part in breath taking even not spectacular at all. It is a really weird film, I warn you folks. It won't please to every one. The second part could a sort of tribute to Georges Romero's DAWN OF TH DEAD - without zombies. The big department stores means the today consumerist society, and a short scene may also be a little tribute to SHINING. The true surprise is the ending, very unusual but after all not so for a French film. The way the authorities and politic power decide to fight against terrorist threat is a real shock to me. A film that makes you think a lot folks. A lot. But, one more time, most of you may not like it. Shephen Hopkins's A DANGEROUS GAME and made in 1988, also showed the scheme of young folks locked inside a department store. And pursued by a psychopath.

A stylish and thoughtfully-executed thriller about a group of young adults who execute a terror attack in Paris. Nocturama is a difficult film to review because its intent is somewhat elusive. The filmmaker's approach is uncompromising in his choice to tell this story and explore its themes largely through visuals alone. He challenges the viewer by refraining from explicitly spelling out the details for you: the exact motivation for the attack, the details of the political climate that provoked it, the overarching themes and intent of the film etc. It simply shows you the events, even endears you to its terrorist characters, and then forces you to sit in discomfort as the credits roll without a clear idea of who you were supposed to be siding with and why. Rather than using these characters and this fictional setup to offer a more straight-forward thriller with a narratively satisfying story, the film instead seems to be using this scenario more to explore larger, more universal themes: the relationship between citizens and government, consumerist culture, the disillusionment of the youth, and the psychology of rebellion. I appreciated this approach, even if it personally left me feeling a bit unsatisfied or puzzled (which is something that may be remedied with future viewings). Regardless, the film was frequently a joy to watch. It has a clean, icy feel somewhat reminiscent of a David Fincher film and employed a lot of clever editing that played with the passage of time in interesting ways. Overall I feel it could've been a little tighter and perhaps more impactful with its themes, though it's certainly worth a watch for the strong, intelligent execution and visual prowess alone.

3.5/5

This film truly lives up to its description as a thriller. For much of the first part, and almost all of the second, I was biting my nails and sitting on the edge of my seat. Additionally, the scenery is very beautiful as it takes place in Paris and then an extravagant department store. My thoughts are these: Firstly: BE WARNED if you don't speak French. I do, so I could understand without the subtitles. However, my friend who was sitting next to me often had to ask for translation because she didn't understand what was happening, due to the fact that the subtitles are often inaccurate. As in, whole chunks of dialogue just left out. Secondly: A few of the other reviews mention how the terrorist's motives are unclear (as in, we have no idea why they did what they did). However, I didn't see this as a flaw: It allows you think about possible motives and identify with the characters more easily. Thirdly: For anyone who cares: I would rate this movie R (it's not rated last time I checked) for: Cursing (In French and English) Some nudity (two butts) Violence - not for the sake of being violent though.

Overall though, I really enjoyed this movie. I am still thinking about it for days afterword.. a good adjective is PROVOCATIVE. Don't be scared away by the long run time - it wasn't boring at all. Bonus points if you speak French, that would definitely help your understanding.

I love the Metacritic summary for „Nocturama": some young folks, tired of the society they're living in, plan a bomb attack over Paris before to take shelter for a night in a shopping center... So simple, so elegant. Unfortunately, I can't say I loved the movie itself. „Nocturama" is artsy in a bad way, all high concept and lacking in every other aspect. Also, at 130 minutes, there's nearly not enough going on to justify the length. Sure, it's a promising material for short story/movie – a psychological portrayal of how terrorism is born. On paper, any summary of "Nocturama" would seem rather captivating... but, sadly, the result is frankly dull and lifeless. The screenwriter-director Bertrand Bonello's approach to storytelling is alienating (the characters are emotionally distant from the viewer and each other), and he likes to stretch many scenes, however empty, so long that it tests the endurance of the viewer. Some filmmakers use this conceptual aloofness and emptiness very effectively, such as Jim Jarmusch, who can make the most trivial on screen actions or details seem meaningful. Sadly, Bonello is not one of those filmmakers. The emotional distance makes sense as (part of the) general message of „Nocturama" – modern life has made us cold and empty – but constantly testing our endurance without payoff does not. At least not to me.

Violence is not the answer. Something that many have been taught, but these kids either never heard of this or didn't listen. So while they plan and execute their "plan", we get a weird mix in the aftermath. Mostly we see them "waiting it out". There are glimpses of (social) media reports and how what they did affected people. But overall this is something that feels cold and meant to be detaching from the main characters.

As much as they are detached from life. It doesn't really give us too much insight into the mindset though, there are too many characters for that. Unless you are able to read between the silences (and there are quite a few of them throughout the movie). But while it is a slow movie, it also has glimpses of violence. Something you have to be aware of, just in case you are appaled by it or can't handle it

The film is perplex, poetic and meaningful. It is the tale of symptoms of modernity. A group of young people try to find meaning, depth and strong bonds in an individualistic, decadent and desolated world. They rebel, but we never know why.

We are only made to guess against who, when and how.

A masterpiece.

"Nocturama" emerges from the shadows with a 6/10 rating, finding itself in the "wasn't bad" territory. This enigmatic and unsettling film showcases some commendable strengths, particularly in its audacious exploration of societal discontent and the consequences of rebellion. The young cast delivers convincing performances, capturing the uncertainty and tension that permeates the narrative. Film editing creates a sense of disorientation that mirrors the characters' disquieting journey. However, the film's weakness lies in its elusiveness; it doesn't offer easy answers or clear-cut resolutions, leaving viewers to grapple with the ambiguity of its message. The music, or lack thereof, plays a crucial role in amplifying the film's eerie atmosphere, while the cinematography masterfully captures the stark beauty of Paris. "Nocturama" isn't for everyone, but for those willing to delve into its shadowy depths, it offers a thought-provoking exploration of the disquiet that simmers beneath the surface of modern society.

Bonello obviously wanted to deliver a generational hit, a formal jewel with a shock plot, young actors and a well-made soundtrack. Despite this letter of intent, the director misses his target. Let's cut to the chase, the film is super boring. Protagonists keep walking and walking, in streets, stairs, hallways, corridors. And that's almost all they do. Okay guys, you know how to use a stabilizer, but do you know how to build tension and unforgettable characters? Actors deliver their lines, like brats from banlieue. Most of the time, they lack belief in what they're supposed to do. Their characters have no dimension at all. We don't expect to root for terrorists, but these ones are so empty, we finally do not care at all about what may happen. The "climax" is like the rest, boring and above all, really ill-made. SWAT Teams shoot firecrackers. Ok. Maybe to make us accept this movie is just a dud. The result is limp and boring. A pure disappointment from an ambitious filmmaker. Sometimes it's better to play with heart and guts rather than apply a formula.

Even though it's quite clear from reading the premise that the film is surely not for everyone, that is still an understatement. The filmmaking here is incredibly detached of emotion, cold, and very, very clinical. That's part of the genius of it. A film like this needs to be executed this way, or else wavering too far into one side would be controversial, either being labeled as a film too forgiving of its protagonists and wanting us to sympathize with them, or portraying them as completely evil and not adding enough layers. In that respect the film works. It is mostly without a musical score, and scenes play out in long stretches in ways sure to infuriate many, but also impressive in their commitment. I think it's a fascinating, powerful film, but not an easy one to like.

I can understand why they have their reservations over this movie. Some essential plot points are barely touched upon, the central motivation of the characters is kinda bland and underdeveloped and the lack of realism is really annoying, specially towards the end. But this movie hits a fair amount of highs as well. The cast is interesting and nuanced, the direction is bold and it works, the score fits the movie quiet well and, in the first half of this movie, it never ceased to intrigue and weird me out. It's true that the second half has its mentioned problems, but it was kinda interesting too. The fact that the characters have such a ball in the mall when it's a total contradiction of their values... is it not hilariously ironic? And the movie never verbalized this, which it's a very clever way of conveying information. But, of course, that makes me wonder something as well: Why these characters are so dumb? I mean, so dumb? I know they are young, but come on! They make some (well, almost all) inexplicable actions in this movie!! That drags the movie down in my opinion. But, overall, I think it's more than decent. 6.8/10.

'NOCTURAMA': Four Stars (Out of Five)

A French-language dramatic thriller about a group of young multiracial radicals that commit a terrorist attack in Paris. It was written and directed by Bertrand Bonello, and it's one of the best reviewed movies of 2017. The film stars Finnegan Oldfield, Vincent Rottiers, Hamza Meziani, Manal Issa, Martin Guyot, Jamil McCraven and Rabah Nait Oufella. I found it to be long, and disturbing, but definitely interesting and well made too.

The story is set in Paris, when a group of young multiracial adults decide they're fed up with the current government and need to do something about it. So they stage multiple bombings; on a government building, an office tower, and a statue of Joan of Arc. The group then hides out in a shopping mall, while they wait for tensions to die down outside. As they wait, the stress among them builds to extreme levels.

The movie does a great job of making the young terrorists seem sympathetic, and relatable. Of course most of us would never do what they do in the film, but still the filmmakers paint a very understanding picture of their reasons and motives. You have to respect a film that can make the viewer respect those that are usually seen as the most deplorable among us, and that's what this movie does. It's a bit long, and definitely dark, but it's still more than worth a viewing.

The movie is clearly split and its audience will likely be as well. The movie may desperately want to be provocative, thought it tries to down play both desperation and provocation and replace them with style.

I went in not knowing much and the tense action style of the first half of the film pulls one to the seat's edge.

I know the director has said the film is more about insurrection than terrorism, but I'm not sure I agree. That said I think it succeeds in portraying the emotional nature of terrorism, both for us aghast as "viewers" (on film and sadly in life) but more importanty for the terrorists themselves.

The director stridently avoids any sort of manifesto, and gathers a United Colors of Benetton cast. Youth is their uniting aspect, there are vague threads of rebellion for sexuality, for economic repression, for immigrant intolerance - but I think their motivations are intentionally vague. Again an accent on the emotion.

And an accent on style - the youngest member of the gang wearing his golden mask feels eerie and mythic. The whole second half of the film, staged in an empty mall as the nocturama for us to watch creatures more than children/people. It almost felt like a Brazen Bull scenario....polished, sleek and artful. But it may be more than just a pretty and warm place to hide out.

Surrounded by screens, as youth these days are, they try to resist watching themselves, but that is difficult. They play house, they play music, they play at rebellion. But maybe that is where rebellion, insurrection and terrorism come from - half baked ideas that catch fire. It's a game first that somehow becomes real.

Seems like the cast was comprised of non-actors or actors that the director worked hard to make into ciphers. Weirdly wooden while brimming with emotion. They stand in stark contrast to Adele Haenel, her face says more in silence than the other actors say with lines through-out. She is supposed to be the audience's touch point, a reluctant sense of this had to happen...even if we don't track the Jiri coefficient...in fact we're not sure why some anti-capitalistic or sense of human unkindness it had to happen, didn't it?

Again I think intentionally stepping far away from a rationale. The film wants to think less and act boldly. The setting of the second half of the film is arguably the biggest star, certainly shot in loving detail.

For what it's worth that image of the statue engulfed in flames, felt like an homage to something old - was it from "I, Claudius" - the movie features a lengthy lip-synching scene. More play-acting, play driving a tiny care. Again that young couple playing house, he in particular is perfectly frustrating as a leader who falls behind, who makes mistake after mistake.

Anyways, the movie has its moments and for me I found worked better than "Triangle of Sadness" but neither film is really rewarding.

How could this be? A big budget film that wants to blow up the big budget businesses?

Of course maybe I am too addicted to the status quo at this point, a real concern, but burn it all, blow it all up - even in my younger daze felt too childish. Thinking too much, just give this a 7, it's got a good beat and younger people can dance to its lack of coherent lyrics.

All of the music and more than a couple of dance scenes.... I'm left with a sense of AgitPop.

Nocturama is written and directed by Bertrand Bonello and tells the story of a group of young adults who plan and carry out a series of bombing attacks across Paris. The film follows the adolescent radicals as they take refuge in an abandoned shopping mall overnight. The film sparked controversy in 2016 as it was released no less than a year after the very real Paris attacks in 2015. While the story told is fictional and many movies that display terrorism do it in a bastardized way, Nocturama uses this plot point tastefully and is interwoven into the main themes of the story even if they are not made absolutely clear.

On the surface, Nocturama can come across like an insensitive film that doesn't have a lot to say, with minimal dialogue and characters sort of manoeuvring about one area for an extended period of time, but that is part of the movies beauty. It is certainly not a film for everybody however if you're willing to go into it with an open mind and reflect on decisions made by the characters and how they might translate to the real world the film can truly become an impactful experience. While the act of terrorism is a horrifying decision and the story doesn't establish a clear motive for the characters carrying out such a heavy choice, Nocturama unveils this subtly during its over two-hour runtime. From the way some characters respond initially to the crime they just committed to their actions taken during the extended overnight stay at a mall; some are remorseful and think they have broken brains while others it just comes across as an everyday event, nothing they did was out of the ordinary. This characterization, while not spelled out, is precise and almost requires the viewer to place themselves in that character's shoes and really try to figure what they are exactly feeling. Bonello is a master at elegantly portraying these subtleties that contribute to the larger theme.

Nocturama is a film that may seem like it doesn't have a lot going on but the filmmaker tasked himself with managing several characters in one space and trying to give each enough screen time to tell their story. Even though at times I found there to be one too many characters, I thought Bonello mostly pulled this off. Likewise for a film of this runtime to take place in practically one setting and for it to be as entertaining as it was, is an accomplishment of itself - Nocturama not only sucked me in but was also a great lesson in filmmaking on how to make a self-contained film work. While the film does slow down once the characters arrive at the mall and there are moments that were a little monotonous to get through, Nocturama had me on the edge of my seat the entire time waiting for something to go wrong. Right from the beginning to the very end, I was incredibly tense and the film does a wonderful job at maintaining this sense of uncomfortableness.

As I mentioned earlier Nocturama is not for everyone and I am not expecting others to feel as positive about it as I did, but if you are interested in the film just know that its themes are not made clear and it mostly serves as a movie that requires you to think. While not everything about the film works I do appreciate the risk Bonello took with telling his story and I feel he achieved what he set out to do. Nocturama is a film that's going to stick with me for a long while and is one of 2016's best, and for that reason, I am giving Nocturama an 8/10.

At first confused, with several characters wandering and wandering around the city, until in a second and final act they fit together, and we understand the young people's desires, or not, because the rebel enterprise lacked a better justification in order to create bonds by the young terrorists. And cheering for them, especially because the scenes at the mall leave us with an even more burned impression... And the real, raw, hard, cold and expected outcome... It could have been deeper...