The Nightingale (16, 136 minutes) Directed by Jennifer Kent
Australian filmmaker Jennifer Kent delivered arguably the most impressive feature film debut of the past decade.
2014’s The Babadook was a masterclass in creating suspense and unnerving anyone who dared to watch. It proved Essie Davis was more than just TV’s Miss Fisher and created a bogeyman for a whole new generation of moviegoers.
Five years later, Kent returned with a very different, yet equally challenging, compelling and consistent horror.
Delivered
Aisling Franciosi is quite brilliant as the young Irish Clare Carroll in The Nightingale.
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Instead of present-day Adelaide, the nightingale is set in rural Van Diemen’s Land circa 1825.
Sent there as a convict, young Irish Clare Carroll (Aisling Franciosi) now works for a British army unit. In addition to performing household chores, she is also regularly in demand for her singing abilities, with many of the troops calling her “their nightingale.” Clare hopes to live as a free woman with her Irish husband and baby one day, but she’s been waiting months for Lieutenant Hawkins (Sam Claflin) to sign her letter of recommendation.
Feeling that she still owes him for “rescuing her from prison”, Hawkins considers Clare his property. “I decide when you leave and when you stay,” he spits, before forcing himself on her. It’s a decision that seemingly destroys Hawkins’ chances of promotion, especially when a visiting commander gets wind of it.
Outraged at this perceived injustice, Hawkins decides to take a small group of men on the five-day hike to Launceston to personally apply for the position of captain, but not before demanding some “revenge” from Clare and her family for their part. his “accident”.
Sam Claflin plays a much darker character than his usual heartthrobs in The Nightingale.
A harrowing, at times brutal, yet compelling watch, Kent’s disturbing, fearless and unshakable story is a truly disturbing nightmarish meditation on the evil men do. Yes, it does have some unsavory moments (including a horrifying central scene), but you’ll find yourself so absorbed and invested in the story that you won’t be able to look away. the nightingale is also a movie where you can’t feel any emotion while watching it. Kent whisks you away with expertly crafted characters and provocative set up and you find yourself accompanying Clare on her traumatic journey through all its twists and turns.
Of course it helps to have some amazing performances in the main roles. claflin (me for you, adrift, their best) destroys his reputation as a sultry heartthrob, while Australian newcomer Baykali Ganambarr makes a huge impression as Clare’s “tracker” Billy. However, the film is by the Irish-Italian actress Franciosi (The fall, Game of ThronesLyanna Stark). She delivers a powerful and poignant twist as a woman whose quest for justice isn’t as bloodthirsty simple as she thinks it could be.
It’s impossible not to feel emotions while watching The Nightingale.
This is the movie Kiwi shot period dramas River Queen and the stolen one It’s also probably one of the most visceral and memorable dramas you’ll see all year.
the nightingale is now available to stream on Netflix. A version of this article first appeared in September 2019.