Surprising Cannes Movie Earns Rare 98 Metacritic Score
A film at Cannes Film Festival has achieved a rare 98 on Metacritic, but it's not Martin Scorsese's highly anticipated film This year's festival has debuted numerous noteworthy films, including Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore's May December and the Indiana Jones sequel However, Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon, a Western drama based on real events, has garnered the most attention
While Killers of the Flower Moon has been generating a significant amount of buzz at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, another movie has managed to capture the attention of critics. The Zone of Interest, directed by Jonathan Glazer, has scored an exceptional 98 on Metacritic, making it one of the best-reviewed films of the festival. Based on the novel by Martin Amis, the movie is set in the shadows of Auschwitz and follows the story of a commandant and his wife as they build a life with their family in a home next to the camp. The film offers a haunting portrayal of life in the midst of one of history’s darkest moments and has been praised for its powerful performances and expert direction. While Killers of the Flower Moon may be generating its fair share of excitement, The Zone of Interest is undoubtedly the standout film of this year’s festival.
Why The Zone Of Interest Is Getting So Much Critical Buzz
Any film that explores the perspective of a Nazi camp commandant outside of Auschwitz is bound to receive a significant amount of attention. Zone of Interest, directed by the highly-regarded Glazer, is no exception. Glazer, originally a music video director, caught the attention of critics with his debut feature film, Sexy Beast, a gripping crime drama starring Ben Kingsley as a menacing gangster. Glazer followed up with Birth in 2004, a thought-provoking drama centered on a woman (Nicole Kidman) who believes her deceased husband has been reincarnated as her young son. Glazer's most recent film, Under the Skin, was a strange and experimental science fiction film set in Scotland, featuring Scarlett Johansson as an alien disguised as a human woman who preys on men.
Glazer’s infrequent releases make each new film he produces a significant event in the world of indie cinema. The Zone of Interest is no exception, tackling a controversial and challenging subject matter with great skill. After both films generated significant buzz at Cannes, it wouldn't be surprising to see The Zone of Interest and Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon pitted against each other come awards season. Currently, The Zone of Interest appears to be winning over critics who have attended Cannes. According to Metacritic, it has the edge over Scorsese's opus.
