Review of Irreversible

Gaspar Noé understands like very few other contemporary filmmakers how to create a very uncomfortable pull with his films. In IRRÉVERSIBLE Noé uses a simple technique to create a pseudo-complex feel. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. Because using that technique also creates a feeling of "the worst is behind us" - even though it is not. It produces the narrative equivalent of a palindrome: IRRÉVERSIBLE always seems to be showing a development getting worse and worse - no matter if you look into the future or the past.

While this is an impressive move to pull off, IRRÉVERSIBLE is also cynical af and features unchallenged racism, misogyny, toxic maculinity as well as anti-LGBTQ rhetoric while failing to redeem its victims. And that is undiscuttably immoral.