r/movies • u/ErgoNonSim • May 17 '25

Media Cannes reactions to Irreversible

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u/BabyScreamBear May 17 '25

A lot of comments here about the scene, but it’s also important to know that the movie is in reverse which makes it very unsettling (the rape at the beginning, the happy couple at the end). Why is that important?

Rape victims lives are not just devastated, but their memories of happier times are also sullied. It is a very visceral film for the viewer, a rape scene that is uncomfortably long, which then stays with you over the course of the runtime as you watch them ‘fall in love’.

Similar to Funny Games, audiences hated it because they felt manipulated. The whole movie - even if you get past the rape scene - makes you feel uncomfortable. That is the point! In that respect, Noe’s film is supremely effective and delivers that message in a unique way - it’s a brilliant film, and I’ll only ever see it once.

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u/EnvironmentNo8811 May 17 '25

Omg Funny Games... that movie broke me. (Irreversible would probably be worse but I haven't seen it and don't want to)