Rust Road

"Free State" is a cinematic rollercoaster that takes you deep into the heart of rural South Africa, where two brothers find themselves in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse after a chance encounter with stolen money. This Neo-Western thriller, drenched in sun-soaked landscapes and religious undertones, masterfully weaves a tale of greed, betrayal, and karmic retribution. With its slow-burning tension, the film paints a vivid picture of a desolate land and its hardy inhabitants, all while delivering a fresh twist on the classic Cain and Abel narrative. The Film Geek in me was utterly captivated by the film's classic cinematic style, where every frame feels like a work of art. A must-watch for those who love their thrillers with a side of deep introspection!

This stylish and grimly entertaining tale has several compelling scenes and original takes on the modern western even as it wears its influences rather obviously. The opening comes from the Coen brothers' A Serious Man, while a large portion of the plot echoes the Coens' adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's No Country for Old Men (complete with implacable, eccentric killer). South African director Oliver Hermanus's Skoonheid supplies a key element to the main villain, and the visual influence of photographer Roger Ballen is all around.

There's nothing wrong, of course, with paying homage, but Free State ultimately fails to support the film's strong visual style with the philosophy and pitch-black humour that enriches the Coen's films. The performances are also a little uneven, though there is a compelling lead, once again, from Carel Nel.

The locations and exteriors, on the upside, offer an expansion to the visual character of contemporary South African film, moving away from the major cities and the conventions of the platteland desert places.

Cinematically on point, one of the best Drama's to come out of South Africa. Shows allot of promise in the potential output of the region. Untapped potential for sure. Performances and pacing where perfect. You can feel the references, yet it still feels like it has its own voice. Worth a viewing absolutely. In many ways a story that has been told before. However the unique setting and cultural mix are unexpected i'm sure for an international audience especially. The villain is cold and calculated, yet extremely disturbing. The bond between the brothers is relatable, yet considered. In the wrong hands this film could have been stock standard, it was anything but. Watch it, you wont be sorry.

I can't look, but I have to - a very brutal emotional rollercoaster.

The acting skills in this movie were absolutely great! Each and every actor potrayed their characters in a very convincing way. I could really feel the paranoia creeping in the back of my brain throughout the whole movie - which was especially supported by the incredible sound design.

Plot wise I think the movie had suspenseful twists and turns that were filled with lots of emotions. Sadness, fear but also laughter were definitely part of the agenda.

The part of the movie that stuck out the most to me was the german guy - with his psycho-stare and cold-blooded and inhumane behaviour he really made lots of people in the audience - including myself - gasp.

All in all I really liked this film.

Set against the rugged beauty of rural South Africa, this film offers a tantalizing mix of suspense, drama, and a deep dive into the complexities of brotherly bonds. And let's be real, who doesn't love a good old family feud, especially when there's a bag of stolen money involved?

The film masterfully weaves a tale of two brothers, a bag of cash, and a psychopath on their trail. The narrative is as gripping and the cinematography? Simply breathtaking.

While I usually don't lean to this type of film genre, 'Free State' proved that sometimes, a little action and suspense can be just the thing someone needs. An 8 out of 10 for me - not your typical blockbuster, but oh-so-worth it!