Antichrist follows two people and two people alone. The main character is played by Willem Dafoe and is known only as He. His wife is played by Charlotte Gainsbourgh plays He's wife who is rightfully referred to as She. The film beginning graphically shows He and She having sex, while they are having sex their young son Nick climbs out of his crib, climbs on a table near an open window, and falls to his death. What a way to start a film, I was already wondering what had I gotten myself into. He just happens to be a psychiatrist who notices that his wife is having a rough time grieving, and he subconsciously decides to make her his patiet. But as the film progresses and crosses into more shocking waters, even He doesn't deny considering her his patient. He and She travel to Eden, the last place She and Nick were before he died, and also the place she says scares her the most. Antichrist is separated into four chapters, Grief, Pain, Despair, The Three Beggars, along with having a prologue and an epilogue. I am not a religious person, at all, and I had only briefly heard of the story of The Three Beggars. So I had to work very hard to catch the various hidden meanings and symbolism. The film is dedicated to Andrei Tarkovsky, a Russian filmmaker who's films were known for their lack of plot or structure, along with having very spiritual and metaphysical themes. Right from Tarkovsky comes Antichrist. A film that seems to have a major plot, but in the end it doesn't, along with no true plot Antichrist is a film made up entirely of scenes that make the viewer really think about their meanings and intentions. It's hard to say what von Trier's intentions were for the overpowering violence in this film, we will most likely never know. But what is a known fact is that von Trier's direction is pure magic and he has to film making skill to be able to make even some of the most graphic violence seem like it has at least some purpose, but only some...
Lars von Trier is an incredibly respected filmmaker and his films make indie-film fans go crazy with joy. He has such a unique and disturbed mind which has been known to make very good films. Lars von Trier's as a director has always been considered one of the best and an all time great in the indie-film world.
Now here comes the time where I must cease the stalling, and describe this film for what it really is. Lars von Trier expects reactions from his films, and he strives to make the audience witness something that makes their minds really work. Antichrist horror film conventions, the entire film is one suspenseful moment, even at the beginning of the film when there seems to be no real signs of anything too peculiar von Trier still provokes feelings of intense horror to the point where you begin to expect a Satan himself to abruptly appear on the screen. And this is before the real terrors of this film even begin. When He decides to take She to Eden, to get her to face her fears and finally conquer her grief She noticeable begins to act much more unstable.
What progresses is something only the strongest of minds can handle without panic. It is revealed that she was at Eden with Nick working on a thesis about the evil of human nature and also genocide against women. She shows intense hatred and shocking thoughts on the sexes. Willem Dafoe's character--He-- is a man who seems to be a good person having good intentions but also having very sinister portrayals. Lars von Trier's direction is dark and powerful with great performances by Dafoe and Gainsbourgh. I am completely fascinated by thoughts of what went through the minds of both actors before, during, and after taking on these roles.
In stomach destroying fashion von Trier creates a disturbing tale of pain and misery. A very interesting premise is halted by two unfortunate characters and overly grotesque nudity and violence. There were times during the watching of this film that I was ready to consider this a vile piece of garbage and the worst film I had ever seen. But it became harder and harder as the storyline became more interesting and even the violence ended up having more meaning that previously thought. With saying that, there is no way I can recommend this film or consider it worth the watch and torment. Each time some beauty shines through there seemed to be something vile and horrific to nullify the beauty. I do understand that much of the beauty canceled by violence was intentional for logical reasons there is just no right or reason that a film needs to be this painful to witness. U.S. critics and audiences must be getting soft on the rest of the world, Antichrist was received will widespread praise from both critics and audiences in countries all around the world, especially Denmark where von Trier is from. Dafoe and Gainsbourgh are among the most talented and earned the praise they received with this film ,but I can't help but question the reasoning for about 1/3 of this film. Well, Lars von Trier will always keep up wondering and at the edge of out seats, but maybe for his next film he won't try so hard to sicken and destroy the minds of the viewers.
Budget: 11 million
Box-Office: N/A
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