Isn’t it true that every cloud has a silver lining? Taylor Sheridan, the maestro behind the cinematic tapestry we know as Yellowstone, earlier shot to fame through the keen edge of his pen with talented screenplays like Sicario & Hell or High Water. However, it was his Wind River that weaved a web of neo-Western crime mystery so enthralling that it ensnares us with its relevance and thought-provoking narrative.
Sheridan’s adept incorporation of harrowing real-life crime input into this chilling tale lent it a gravity that cannot be ignored, serving as a grim reflection of society’s darker undertones. In Wind River, we are introduced to Cory Lambert (portrayed by Jeremy Renner), a diligent game hunter, whose discovery of a young woman’s body in the desolate, frostbitten wilderness catapults us into a heart-wrenching saga of brutality.
The scene, which fans believe rivals even the visceral torment of Monica Bellucci’s r*pe sequence in Irréversible—a scene so raw it sent shockwaves through the audience.
Cinematic Disturbance: Wind River vs. Irréversible—What’s More Alarming?
How often does a film genuinely stir both your emotions and intellect? Enter the domain of Taylor Sheridan’s proficient direction on the modern American West, Wind River. In the 2017 flick, Sheridan’s enthralling narrative ferries us into the icy terrains of Wyoming, presenting us with the harrowing reality of violence against Native American women.
The film follows US Fish and Wildlife Officer Cory Lambert, played by Jeremy Renner, as he stumbles upon the body of a young woman who has been brutally r*ped and murdered. The film’s portrayal of this heinous crime is not for the faint of heart. A fan (via Reddit) has even compared it to the infamous nine-minute-long scene in Irréversible, featuring Monica Bellucci.
The realism of the scenario and the tension leading up to the crime scene in Wind River are masterfully drafted by Sheridan, leaving audiences shaken and disturbed. One-third of Native American and Alaskan women, according to The Guardian, have experienced s*xual assault. Moreover, a CBS News report details the shocking number of Indigenous women who have been murdered or gone missing in California.
That being said, Sheridan’s Wind River is so relatable & devastating at the same time.
Despite its heavy subject matter, the film has garnered critical acclaim and box office success. With an 87% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a gross of $45 million against an $11 million budget (Box Office Mojo), the film has indeed solidified Sheridan’s reputation as a top-tier filmmaker.
The Artistic Intent Behind the Horror: Director Gaspar Noé on Irréversible
The Argentine-Italian director, Gaspar Noé, 60, has never shied away from pushing boundaries, and with Irréversible, he took it to a whole new level. And the infamous r*pe scene, which lasts nine minutes, is both excruciating to watch and impossible to forget.
In a chat with Indie Wire, when asked about the attention paid to this scene, Noé expressed frustration, citing his own reaction to a similar scene in Sam Peckinpah’s Straw Dogs. The former exited the theater and didn’t revisit the film for a decade. To quote him:
Yes, because I remember when I saw Straw Dogs by Sam Peckinpah, I walked out in the middle of the movie during the r*pe scene… It took me 10 years to rewatch the movie on VHS. Adrenaline fixes your memory.
He was of the view that violence generates “adrenaline”, which in turn fixes the memory in a way that more pleasant experiences do not. This visceral reaction is what he aimed to evoke in his audience.
The film follows Marcus (Vincent Cassel) as he attempts brutal retribution for the r*pe of his girlfriend, Alex, played by The Matrix Reloaded star Monica Bellucci. But what sets Irréversible apart is its narrative structure: the story is told in reverse, starting with the aftermath of the revenge and working its way back to the attack.
Despite the mixed critical reception (59% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes), Noé’s film is unflinching and uncompromising, forcing the audience to confront uncomfortable truths about the nature of violence and revenge. Sure, for some, Irréversible may be too much to handle; it may be difficult to watch, but its impact is undeniable.
As Noé himself stated, “Violence generates adrenaline, and adrenaline fixes the memory”. And in the case of Irréversible, that memory is one that stays with you, even after 22 years of its release.
Wind River can be rented on Apple TV, while Irréversible is available on Prime Video.
