Review of You Were Never Really Here (2017) by James R — 19 Aug 2018

A pretty solid film here. Based on the novel by Jonathan Ames this film is a brutal look at a man haunted by his past. We follow Joe (Joaquin Phoenix) an ex military, ex FBI agent thats turned to free lance work getting paid to mostly help find missing people.

Joe is a guy that has constant flashbacks of the horrors he saw as a soldier and agent. Not to mention he keeps reliving the abuse he suffered from his father. This leaves Joe having some very suicidal thoughts with many scenes in the movie showing him about to off himself, but backing off the last minute.

One day Joe is hired by Senator Albert Votto (Alex Manette) to find his missing daughter Nina (Akaterina Samsonov). What Joe finds is not just an underage brothel, but more horrors and the discovery of a power struggle within Senator Votto's life.

The movie is brutal. At just about an hour and a half the movie has some intense very violent moments that show on screen with little to no remorse. It just worked for me. Joaquin Phoenix does a great job here and although its a weird role he fits the bill perfectly.

Joe is a guy that's been through a lot and he's not necessarily a nice guy. He doesn't know how to deal with his past and you definitely get the feel of that in this one. The film ends kinda up in the air, but from the moment you start this one it gives you kinda all you need to figure out the ending for yourself.

Overall, solid film that I enjoyed. It won't be for everyone since I find it hits that kinda indie/artsy vibe a little bit, but I found it a solid film and would at least recommend giving it a rental to see for yourself!