"The Revenant" (2015) is an intense, visceral experience that combines survival, revenge, and the brutal beauty of nature. Directed by Mexican filmmaker Alejandro González Iñárritu. The film highlights profound themes of human endurance and colonial exploitation. Watching Leonardo's films has always been a compelling experience for me—whether it's The Great Gatsby, The Departed, Killing of the Flower Moon, Shutter Island, or Inception. However, I missed one of his recent movies (and many other also), The Revenant, which I watched recently. The film won three prestigious awards in 2016 right after its release . In this blog, I will review the movie.
Released in 2015, At first, the movie may seem like just another action-packed film. However, as the narrative progresses, its depth becomes clear. Set in the snow-covered mountains of America during the winter, the cinematography by Emmanuel Lubezki captures the serene yet harsh beauty of the landscape. The awe-inspiring scenery makes the film feel authentic and, for those who love snow-covered mountains, a visual treat.
The central conflict of the film revolves around the tension between Native American tribes [Ree] and white settlers, who considered the natives as "savages" and sought to impose "civility" on them. The military crew exploited the natives, taking their land, animals, and even their wives, often resorting to mass murder. In reality, it is the white settlers who need to be "civilized" rather than the other way around. This issue of exploitation is not limited to America—it still persists in places like India, where tribal communities and their land are often exploited in the name of "development." The Naxalite–Maoist insurgency, oft-spoken issue by social activists like Arundhati Roy, is one such example, and the tribal people of Andaman and Nicobar are also facing similar struggles.
Historically, after the 'discovery' of the American continent, white settlers colonized the native tribes. The land that once belonged to indigenous people was taken from them, and their identity, traditions, and way of life were stripped away. Today, although life has significantly improved for many indigenous people through various government reservations, films like The Revenant are important in addressing the ongoing legacy of these issues.
The title of the movie, "Revenant," refers to one who comes back from the dead, and the story revolves around Hugh Glass, played by Leonardo DiCaprio. After being brutally attacked by a grizzly bear, Glass is left for dead by his crew, including Captain Andrew Henry (Domhnall Gleeson). Despite his severe injuries, Glass survives the bitter winter, enduring unimaginable pain and hardship. DiCaprio's portrayal of Hugh Glass is masterful, blending raw emotion with resilience. Tom Hardy, as the ruthless and cunning Fitzgerald, also delivers an outstanding performance.
In later part, the film becomes a revenge tragedy when Glass’s son is killed by Fitzgerald. What follows is a relentless pursuit of vengeance. While this theme of revenge is central to the plot, the film also teaches us about human survival instincts in the most extreme conditions. At times, it felt like watching Man vs. Wild, with Glass using every survival skill to stay alive in the wilderness. Thankfully, the film’s powerful performances and the stunning landscapes prevent the audience from feeling disconnected from the narrative.
The movie explores the raw cruelty of nature and the survival-of-the-fittest mentality. Fitzgerald, driven by the same though, abandons Glass to die. Later, the remaining crew members are scattered due to differences in survival strategies. Glass's journey involves extreme acts of survival, such as eating raw meat and using the skin of animals for warmth. These scenes emphasizes the brutal relationship between humans and nature, where survival often means killing animals for sustenance.
After enduring so much physical and emotional pain, including hallucinations of his dead wife and son, Glass finally reaches Fitzgerald to seek his revenge. However, the movie poignantly suggests that revenge, in the end, cannot undo the loss of his son. This adds to the film’s deeper insight on the futility of vengeance and the toll it takes.
The movie is about the primal instincts of human nature, survival, the brutality of nature, and the consequences of colonialism. Anyways, the movie is worth watching, especially if you're a fan of Leonardo DiCaprio and his acting.
Here you can check out the trailer...
Thank you...
{Note: I have utilized ChatGPT for the language and grammar enhancement}
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