The Zone of Interest

A film of remarkable power and vision. One of a kind, and must be seen.

This is a film that focuses on the foreground but presented in a way that forces your attention to the background. The visceral details and images of Auschwitz are already imprinted in everyone's mind and compelling the viewer to call upon those on their own instead of recreating them is powerful.

"The Zone of Interest brilliantly captures the complexities of humanity amidst the horrors of WWII, offering a haunting exploration of love, morality, and the banality of evil. With powerful performances and thought-provoking storytelling, it's a film that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll."

Masterpiece Cinema

Schindler's List will always be the seminal film of the Jewish experience, but its only flaw might be Ralph Fiennes' pointed and sadistic type of evil.

Zone of Interest is the greatest expression of Arendt's "banality of evil." This isn't a movie about the Holocaust, it's a movie about how life goes on during it. It's unspoken and unnerving watching people try to pretend they are comfortable amidst suffering, just as it's happening today.
The cleaning sequence was some of the most brilliant filmmaking I've ever seen

The horror of being human in no uncertain terms.

It captures horror through a horrifying everyday life, using the viewer's cinematic memory to reflect the perversion of the Holocaust off-screen. The invisible look at the daily life of a family that has achieved their aspirations as human beings, at the same time dehumanizes them, and the introduction of expressive overhead shots breaks that invisibility to show the most direct reality. The director takes risky decisions that manage to integrate perfectly, and an ending that places us directly in the horror of the denials of the reality that we constantly live.

There are some films that you just have to let sink in after watching, and "The Zone of Interest" is definitely one of those. Without directly showing the atrocities committed in the concentration camp of Auschwitz, director Jonathan Glazer nevertheless succeeds in conveying the horror of the death camp. The sound design in particular contributes to this, constantly reminding the viewer of what is actually happening behind these walls. The cinematography is also strong, as the apparent idyll on the one hand and the signs of genocide in the background on the other form a stark contrast.

There is no classic plot in a deeper sense, as the main characters hardly undergo any development. And yet, Christian Friedel and Sandra Hüller as camp commander Rudolf Höß and his wife Hedwig are extremely effective in giving a face to the banality of evil. The dialogue is difficult to bear in the face of incredible ignorance and inhumanity. I actually had to take a deep breath a few times.

Even though "The Zone of Interest" is not a horror film, it is clearly one of the most intense horror experiences of the year for me. It is a must-see movie if you want to learn about the Holocaust. This chilling perspective of the perpetrators has certainly never been seen before.

Jonathan Glazer's exploration of the banality of evil in The Zone of Interest is an unsettling and haunting masterpiece. With a visual and narrative approach that defies conventions, the film transports viewers to an idyllic domestic setting hiding an unspeakable and chilling reality. Glazer examines the daily life of a Nazi commandant's family living near Auschwitz with cold, calculated precision, highlighting the moral void of its characters.

The direction stands out for its minimalism, avoiding explicit visuals and leaving the horrors to linger just outside the frame. This technique makes the unseen as impactful as the unspoken, employing a cinematic language that transcends traditional storytelling to create an emotionally devastating experience. The sound design and cinematography play a crucial role in amplifying the oppressive atmosphere and the moral disconnection that defines the characters.

The performances, especially by Sandra Hüller, are pivotal to the film's emotional resonance. Hüller delivers a masterful portrayal of a woman whose detachment and facade of normalcy are as chilling as the atrocities occurring beyond the walls. Her role underscores how denial and indifference can coexist with unimaginable horrors, delivering a profoundly impactful message.

The screenplay, based on Martin Amis' novel, opts for a reflective and symbolic structure that delves into themes of complicity and dehumanization. Instead of focusing on the explicit suffering of victims, the narrative zeroes in on those who perpetrated or ignored it, achieving a deeper examination of human nature and moral justification.

The Zone of Interest is a difficult watch, not only due to its subject matter but also for its bold refusal to rely on sentimentality. Instead, it employs a cold, objective lens. While its tone and style may alienate some viewers, it is this emotional distance that makes the film unforgettable and essential. Jonathan Glazer redefines Holocaust cinema with an approach as daring as it is necessary.

In summary, this film challenges expectations while compelling viewers to reflect on the banality of evil and how the most unimaginable atrocities can be normalized in everyday life. Its flawless technical execution and universal message firmly establish it as a crucial work for understanding humanity's darkest shadows.

**Must be watched with a home theater audio system.** Sound design plays a huge part in this movie. Those who say it's boring or frustrating should watch it properly.:)
The movie is on par with Oppenheimer top two movies of the year. You must see it.

I thought that this movie is, in a way, a metaphor for our wealthy life. For every moment you live in paradise, there's someone suffering in a third-world country.

Such a simple and powerful movie, I feel it will cause a lot of wine. Yes, they lived like that, this is not hyperbole, look around, many still do. Then they said that they didn’t know, some even believed it. In this boredom and everyday life, there is all the horror. When the sweet smoke over the ivy fence doesn’t interfere with life. Will there be an Oscar?