Club Zero

At an elite private school, teacher Ms Novak (Mia Wasikowska) starts a club called Conscious Eating for a group of students.

The filming style is slow with long uncut scenes. The dialogue is often done in a hush. That has more to do with the characters. It is a dark comedy that leans more on the dark. Some of these people are not acting reasonably especially the principal. She really should be more concerned about getting sued by one of the parents. For people who have dealt with the issue, this may hit close to home. For me, I get the sense of dread and frustration and hopelessness. It's like a cult where these young people get trapped by it.

The film addresses a very interesting and distressing topic, but it was not executed masterfully. The performances are good and the story gradually keeps us intrigued, but the work in general doesn't have much of a "pulse". The film spends a long time without going anywhere, and when we think that a climax will arrive and that we will be shocked, predictable or simple things happen.

At least I'll say one thing: The background scene during the end credits is very interesting and a little scary. I think it was the scariest part of the film, but obviously I won't say what it's about here because I don't want to spoil it.

I found this film rather fascinating because at the present time my 10 year old great granddaughter is being manipulated and brainwashed by her father and her school.

It's takes a little getting used to the pacing of the film, but once you do it's almost hypnotic. The sets and costumes are eye candy to me. The direction thoughtful and intentional. Some one commented about the end credit scene......for me it was extremely reminiscent of the Leonardo da Vinci painting The Last Supper. The message one could get from the film is that if we want anything to change we will need to change our beliefs, not turning to any religion or cult, but by limiting our consumerism while we still can. Our children's children's children are already paying the price for our follies.

There are films that gives you ample time to ponder why it was made in the first place.

While having a supreme premise, the storytelling is pedestrian at best as it resolves to the mere treatment of a thesis. While this thesis contains elements of a satire with its overdone costumes and with its lifeless model house settings it lacks any sense of humor or wit.

There is nothing close to what I would call acting in this movie. Actors, some of them very talented, some of them even among my favorite actors, are as stiff as a log, reciting lines that could have been written by sophomores on a home assignment on nutrition.

My biggest takeaway was that even great actors can appear to be hopelessly untalented and hollow with the proper direction. There is no subtext at any moment whatsoever. I am assuming this is intentional. For me it ruined what could have been an engaging take on group dynamics.

During what felt like an eternity of incremental losing hope this film would go somewhere, I kept wondering why no one during financing, casting, shooting, editing and especially releasing had a hunch that a story poorly told could be a waste of time.

Imagine stepping into a world where reality crumbles like a faded painting. "Club Zero" draws you into a whirlpool of ambiguity and reflections, guiding you through a labyrinth of simulacra and deprivations. The film, masterfully directed by Jessica Hausner, unfolds in an elite school where normality is merely an illusion. Here, Miss Novak, an enigmatic teacher, introduces her students to a new creed: radical fasting as a means to break free from the chains of consumerism and superficiality. What begins as a social experiment soon descends into darkness as the students are increasingly drawn deeper into the vortex of their convictions. Hausner paints a dark and unsettling picture, where human relationships are mere empty shells and emotions are a distant echo. The images, cold and distant, convey a sense of alienation and disconnection, as if the world around were merely a distorted reflection of true reality. The theme of food becomes a powerful symbol, representing not only physical needs but also our deepest anxieties and insecurities. Through a series of disturbing and surreal scenes, the film forces us to confront our darkest fears and deepest desires. The ending, with its evocative image of students lost in the void of the unknown, leaves the viewer with more questions than answers. What is true and what is merely an illusion? And, above all, what does it truly mean to be free? Ultimately, "Club Zero" is a fascinating journey into the heart of human darkness, an experience that captivates and transports you to a world without time or space. Hausner, with her bold vision and impeccable direction, offers us a penetrating look into what could be the future of humanity, inviting us to reflect on what truly matters in life. If you're ready to surrender to the allure of mystery and beauty, "Club Zero" is the film for you. Prepare to be transported to a world where nothing is as it seems, and where truth is but a distant mirage.