It is difficult to describe You Were Never Really Here, Lynne Ramsay’s new intense-looking thriller, in just a headline. Joaquin Phoenix plays a man suffering from PTSD and taking out said suffering in some brutal ways. But on the “bad guys” it seems.
This first trailer sinks its hooks into early on. See for yourself:
A traumatized veteran, unafraid of violence, tracks down missing girls for a living. When a job spins out of control, Joe’s nightmares overtake him as a conspiracy is uncovered leading to what may be his death trip or his awakening.
It looks incredible, at least to this reporter. The story very clearly travels into some of the darkest corners of the thriller genre. Add in Jonny Greenwood as the composer, and Lynne Ramsay (We Need to Talk About Kevin) no doubt leaning in on the dread, and you have my money.
You Were Never Really Here was a hit at Cannes; Phoenix won best actor, and Ramsay won best screenplay (from a book by John Ames). Aside from Phoenix, the film stars Ekaterina Samsonov, the great character actor Alessandro Nivola (The Neon Demon), and a collection of relative unknowns. It opens April 6, and should be a real crowd pleaser.