Antichrist

Possibly the best argument against couples therapy ever, Antichrist is a tour-de-force trip inside the mind of a dangerously depressed man. That man is Danish filmmaker von Trier, and he has gone on record as having conceived and executed Antichrist in the wake of a deep depression.

Taken as a whole, Antichrist is a gorgeous, mesmerizing construction, and almost every one of its frames shimmers with demented, imaginary life... It offers more proof, if we need any, that von Trier is one of the most accomplished cinema artists of our time, and also perhaps the most deeply trapped in his own head.

Tests the loyalty of fans that may expect his work to be extreme, but not to such an extent.

For 70 minutes, Antichrist is a rare exploration of pain, featuring two actors collaborating with each other in agonizing and intimate ways. It also contains some of the best work Gainsbourg has ever done on screen. And then - if I put it more gently I wouldn't really be saying it - director Lars von Trier loses his mind.

Antichrist, which, above all, wants to make pain visceral, is less successful at projecting authentic experience--the shock tactics are ultimately numbing.

Antichrist is probably the most disturbing, bleak and self-indulgent film ever made.

If only von Trier could work beyond the poster art concept. Antichrist stubbornly fails as a gothic nightmare and meanders as a misanthropic two-character drama.

One of the most unique and powerful movies I have ever seen, Antichrist is Lars Von Trier's magnum opus, and a film I will not soon forget watching. The imagery and discussion of men and women, depression, sex, violence, hell, death, and survival are themes that Von Trier uses in all of his works, and these themes are turned up to 11 in Antichrist. Charlotte Gainsbourgh and Willem DaFoe are incredible in this one, and the script is bold and breathtaking. The atmosphere of the film slowly lures you in, and it wasn't even until the end where I found myself asking "Wait, did I just watch a horror movie?" Absolutely brilliant. Also one of the best openings in movie history.

Lars Von Trier's controversial film is not for the faint of heart. Or even for those who don't consider themselves faint of heart. Or for small children. Or really, for anybody at all. It is quite a curious film, as it were. Its breathtaking cinematography is juxtaposed with its sickeningly depraved subject matter, whose philosophical musings on the nature of mankind (or rather, womankind) and misogyny, are probably less thought provoking or effective then Von Trier would've liked. But then again, who knows what Von Trier was aiming for, exactly? The notoriously mischievous auteur would hardly give a straight answer if asked. This film crosses the threshold from art-house to nuthouse after a particularly sickening scene involving genital mutilation, which, if you'll take my word (and believe me, you should) would not be prudent to go into detail. Still, this film manages to maintain a powerful hold over the viewer, for better or for worse.

Lars von Trier is a talented and imaginative director. I find his films interesting, but never exactly "like" them. Antichrist is not so much horrifying as alternatively interesting and repugnant. The graphic bits feel out-of-place and in bad taste; it is as if the film is saying: "Now be horrified!" If the film is working psychologically, there is no need for that, and if it is not then inserting graphic elements do not exactly help. Cannot recommend the film to anyone. Horror fans will not find the film scary. Art-house fans will probably be put off.

What is going on in the mind of Lars Von Trier? Frankly, I am afraid to know. This is a film for maniacs. Sorry for being so harsh, but except of some good shots and sounds there is not much more positive about "Antichrist". Nobody wants to see blood coming out of Dafoe's **** or Gainsbourg cutting off her at least I hope so. It's mostly disgusting and shouldn't be seen. You get unhinged, trust me.

The acting was brilliant, but with Willem Dafoe what else would you expect. The director should seek professional help. I feel bad that Mr Dafoe was dragged into this mess. The movie starts off like it may be thought provoking, but that wasn't the case. Just a "how many **** up images can we put into one movie" flick. If it wasn't for the two leading actors this movie would be in the same bin as Human Centipede.