The Zone of Interest opens in theaters December 15. This review is based on a screening at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival.
The Zone of Interest: A Chilling Depiction of Banality of Evil
The Zone of Interest is a powerful film that delves into the unsettlingly serene life of Rudolf Höss, a commandant at Auschwitz. The movie, directed by Jonathan Glazer, takes a haunting look at how the Höss family lives in luxury while carrying out atrocities at the concentration camp. Glazer’s adaptation of the late Martin Amis’ novel is an annihilating experience that leaves a lasting impact on the viewer.
A Stark and Shattering Silence
We witness the Höss family enjoying a beautiful day by the water, but there’s a starkness to the scene that captures the irredeemably corrupted family life. The silence with which the Hösses go about their leisure and labor is shattering, leaving an intense impact on the audience.
A State of Abject Terror
The film creates a state of abject terror through formal precision. The shots are often static, showing how maddeningly ordinary the situation has become. The expertly mixed and edited din of agony adds to the overwhelming dread, leaving the audience in a constant state of fear and unease.
A Choice to Embrace Cruelty
Hedwig, Rudolf’s wife, insists on staying at Auschwitz, despite being offered the opportunity to leave. Her choice reveals her comfort in the proximity to cruelty, showcasing the terrifying nature of her character’s desperation and her hunger for power.
A Call to Resistance
The film doesn’t let the audience settle into stasis with the characters, providing recurring disruptions to highlight the resistance to the cruel machinations happening within the story. Glazer invites us into the house, but never lets us become at home there, forcing us to confront the truth of the characters’ callous and self-serving nature.
A Monumental Piece of Cinema
The Zone of Interest is a monumental and significant piece of cinema that breaks free from conventional storytelling. It’s a foundational work that demands attention and offers a deeply profound insight into the banality of evil.