You Were Never Really Here (2017)

“★★★★★ A brutal masterclass in sensory overload.” – Little White Lies

“★★★★ It is a movie that teeters perpetually on the verge of hallucination, with hideous images and horrible moments looming suddenly through the fog.” – The Guardian

Atmospheric and restrained, You Were Never Really Here may seem like familiar neo-noir territory on the surface, but Lynne Ramsay’s distinct style makes this hitman story a cut above the rest.

Adapted from a novella by Jonathan Ames, it follows Joe (Joaquin Phoenix), a professional hitman who’s regarded highly for the brutality he brings to his work and the efficiency with which he leaves no trace. He’s a haunted man, suffering from PTSD from a lifetime of being exposed to violence – through an abusive childhood, plus his time serving as a soldier and then an FBI agent. Joe takes care of his elderly mother and tries to keep his suicidal ideations at bay.

When he’s hired to rescue a politician’s teenage daughter from a sex-trafficking ring, Joe becomes embroiled in a dark conspiracy that puts him in grave danger.

This hallucinatory, cinematic gut-punch recalls Taxi Driver but juxtaposes its depictions of violence with moments of gentleness and humanity.

Festivals & Awards
Cannes Film Festival 2017 – Nominee, Palme d’Or; Winner, Best Actor (Joaquin Phoenix) and Best Screenplay
British Independent Film Awards 2018 – Winner, Best Music (Jonny Greenwood) and Best Sound
BAFTA Awards 2019 – Nominee, Outstanding British Film of the Year