Review for The Zone of Interest (2023)

Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)

The Zone of Interest, directed by Jonathan Glazer, is a chilling and haunting exploration of the human psyche set against one of the darkest chapters of history. The film, loosely based on the novel by Martin Amis, takes an unconventional approach to the Holocaust, shifting focus to the lives of ordinary people living near a concentration camp.

The film centers on the daily lives of a family living in a house just beyond the barbed wire fences of Auschwitz. The husband, a high-ranking Nazi officer (played by Christian Bale), and his wife (played by Marion Cotillard), lead a seemingly idyllic life, completely unaware or intentionally indifferent to the horrors taking place just a stone’s throw away.

Glazer’s decision to keep the camera largely focused on the mundane aspects of the family’s life, juxtaposed against the backdrop of unspeakable cruelty, makes for an uncomfortable viewing experience. The film’s deliberate pacing and minimalist dialogue build tension slowly but surely, making the audience feel both complicit and disconnected, as if peering into the lives of people who are disturbingly detached from the reality of their situation.

Christian Bale’s performance is nothing short of exceptional, capturing the cold, calculated demeanor of a man who lives in moral denial. Cotillard, though less prominently featured, delivers a nuanced portrayal of a woman caught between her love for her family and an unsettling sense of normalcy in the face of growing darkness.

However, the film’s elliptical narrative and lack of clear resolution may leave some viewers feeling unsatisfied. The deliberately slow burn and ambiguous ending can be interpreted in a variety of ways, but it risks alienating those seeking a more straightforward depiction of the atrocities of war. The film never directly confronts the horrors inside the camp, choosing instead to focus on the chilling apathy of those living beside it, a bold but polarizing artistic choice.

Visually, The Zone of Interest is stunning. The cinematography is cold and precise, with a haunting beauty that contrasts sharply with the gruesome history unfolding in the background. The film’s stark, almost clinical portrayal of its setting adds to the eerie atmosphere that lingers long after the credits roll.

In conclusion, The Zone of Interest is a thought-provoking, if at times unsettling, film. It’s a reflection on the nature of evil, complicity, and the banality of cruelty, but its slow pace and ambiguous approach may not be for everyone. While the performances and direction are top-notch, the film’s abstract narrative leaves much to be interpreted, which may leave some viewers questioning its true purpose.