Review of Irreversible (2002) by Jackson L — 11 Mar 2015

Really, really difficult to watch. Not easy to sit through the two infamous parts of the film. Also the strobe effects, low bass and the film being recorded via constant flipping and rotating don't help either. Bit anti-climatic (or is it anti-beginning, since it's a backwards narrative?), but overall an interesting, disturbing and sometimes terrifying experience. I believe that although it portrays a simple idea/plot (revenge for somebody else's rape), it transcends that exploitive genre by giving each character an interesting backstory, showing the entire story backwards and by making the protagonists somewhat awful themselves. Therefore, in my opinion, the film is NOT an exploitation film.

If you are sensitive to extreme/realistic violence, rape and/or photosensitive epilepsy, stay far away from this film.