| Plot | A fur trapper is left for dead after a bear attack and must endure a grueling journey of survival and revenge on the 18th century American frontier. |
| Year | 2015 |
| Genre | Drama • Thriller |
| Title | Revenant |
| Setting | 18th century American frontier |
| Director | |
| Starring | |
| Reception | Praised for its stunning visuals and performances, but also drew some criticism for its slow pacing and heavy-handed exploration of man's relationship with the natural world. Found a dedicated cult following, but was not as commercially successful as expected. |
Revenant is a 2015 American drama film directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu and starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Set in the American frontier of the 1780s, the film follows the story of Hugh Glass, a fur trapper who is left for dead after being attacked by a bear. Glass must then endure an arduous journey of survival and retribution through the unforgiving wilderness.
Revenant was a passion project for Iñárritu, who had long been fascinated by stories of the 18th century American frontier and the clash between man and nature. The director assembled an impressive cast, including DiCaprio in the lead role as Glass, as well as Tom Hardy, Domhnall Gleeson, and Will Poulter in supporting parts.
Shooting proved to be extremely challenging, with the crew facing harsh weather conditions and remote locations across Canada and Argentina. Iñárritu insisted on using natural lighting as much as possible, eschewing studio sets in favor of filming outdoors. This led to many production delays and difficulties, but the director was determined to capture an authentic, immersive experience.
The film's plot is relatively straightforward - Glass, a veteran fur trapper, is part of a group harvesting pelts in the wilderness. After being brutally attacked by a mother grizzly bear, he is left for dead by his companions, including the treacherous John Fitzgerald (Hardy). Glass then must summon the will to survive, tracking his betrayers through the harsh elements while also battling his own physical and psychological trauma.
However, Iñárritu elevated the material through his emphasis on the spiritual and mystical dimensions of Glass's ordeal. Recurring visions of his deceased wife and son, as well as encounters with Native American shamans, suggest an otherworldly dimension to the character's struggle for survival. The film grapples with questions of man's place in the natural world, the meaning of life and death, and the cyclical nature of violence and retribution.
Revenant received a mixed critical response upon its release, though most praised the technical achievements and performances. Many reviewers highlighted the stunning cinematography, particularly the visceral bear attack sequence, as well as DiCaprio's committed physical performance. However, some felt the film was overly slow-paced and ponderous in its exploration of its spiritual and philosophical themes.
Some critics saw the movie as a pretentious art film masquerading as a mainstream thriller, while others championed it as a bold, uncompromising vision. Its uneven commercial performance - grossing over $500 million worldwide but failing to meet very high expectations - reflected this polarized reaction from audiences.
While Revenant did not achieve the universal acclaim or box office success of some of Iñárritu's previous films, it has maintained a devoted cult following. Many see it as a visually stunning and thematically rich meditation on the human condition, a gritty yet poetic take on the survival narrative.
The film's impact can be felt in the work of subsequent filmmakers who have grappled with similar themes of man versus nature, as well as the continued fascination with the brutal realities of the American frontier. Revenant remains a divisive yet undeniably powerful cinematic experience, one that cemented Iñárritu's reputation as a bold and uncompromising auteur.
