Brimstone (2016)
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A mute midwife and a young girl navigate a harrowing journey of survival and retribution in the Old West.
The story
In the harsh landscape of the Old West, a mute midwife named Liz lives with her husband and children. Her life is upended when a mysterious and intimidating Preacher arrives at their community. When a tragic medical emergency forces Liz to make a harrowing choice, she becomes the target of a local man's wrath. Simultaneously, a young girl named Joanna is navigating a perilous existence in a nearby mining town. As the lives of these two women intersect through a series of violent encounters and a shared history of trauma, they must navigate a world of religious fanaticism and survival.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
The narrative unfolds in four acts presented in anachronic order. In 'Revelation', Liz, a mute midwife, is confronted by the Reverend after a tragic medical decision leads to a confrontation with a local man, Nathan. The Reverend later claims Liz is guilty of murder and eventually disembowels her husband, Eli. In 'Exodus', a young girl named Joanna is sold into a brothel in Bismuth. She is protected by a prostitute named Elizabeth until the Reverend arrives and kills her. Joanna takes Elizabeth's place, becoming a surrogate for the woman who was once her protector. In 'Genesis', it is revealed that the Reverend is Joanna's father, who is abusive and religious. After his wife commits suicide, he attempts to force a marriage between himself and Joanna. In 'Retribution', the paths of the characters converge. Liz's son, Matthew, is hunted by the Reverend, who is eventually killed by Liz. Finally, Liz is apprehended by Nathan, who has become a lawman. As she is taken away, she chooses to drown herself, while her daughter, Sam, survives to adulthood.
- First release year
- 2016
- Runtime (minutes)
- 148
- Production countries
- Netherlands; France; Germany; Sweden; United Kingdom; United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Martin Koolhoven
- Writers
- Martin Koolhoven · writer
- Cast and characters
- Dakota Fanning · Liz; Guy Pearce · The Reverend; Emilia Jones · Joanna; Kit Harington · Matthew; Carice van Houten · Elizabeth
- Genres
- psychological Western; thriller
- Themes
- religious fanaticism; survival; maternal protection; trauma
- Tone and mood
- raw; powerful; tense; lurid; violent
- Premise and plot tags
- Western; Revisionist Western; Rape and revenge; Thriller
- Content notes
- violence
- Reception
- The film was well received in the Netherlands and across Europe, though it received mixed reviews from critics in the United States. It was praised for its intensity and narrative, while some critics criticized its length and content.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 45% · review count: 76; Metacritic · score: 45 · scale: 100 · review count: 17
- Awards and nominations
- Golden Film · Film · 2017 · Winner; Golden Pen · Screenplay · 2017 · Winner; Ensor Award · Beste Co-productie · 2017 · Winner; Golden Calf · Best Film · 2017 · Winner; European Film Award · Hair & Makeup Artist · 2017 · Winner; Beste Dutch Film 2017 · Circle of Dutch Film Journalists · 2017 · Winner; DirectorsNL Award · Best Feature, Director's Award · 2017 · Winner; Best Feature · Almeria Western Film Festival · 2017 · Winner; Golden Lion · Venice Film Festival · Nominated; Best Film in the Official Competition · London Film Festival · 2017 · Nominated; PFS Award (Human Rights) · Political Film Society · 2017 · Nominated; Audience Award (Best Narrative Feature) · Palm Springs International Film Festival · 2017 · Nominated; Golden Calf · Best Actress in a supporting Role · 2017 · Nominated; Golden Calf · Best Editing · 2017 · Nominated
- Production trivia
- The film was the best-sold Dutch movie ever.; The film was selected to compete for the Golden Lion at the 73rd Venice International Film Festival.; The film was produced in Germany, Hungary, Austria and Spain.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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