I watched Zone of Interest and I liked it. 3.5/5
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Zone of Interest is a chilling, understated exploration of human cruelty and moral detachment, directed by Jonathan Glazer. Based loosely on Martin Amis’s novel, the film takes a bold, unsettling approach to depicting life near Auschwitz, focusing on the mundane domestic lives of a Nazi officer and his family rather than the atrocities occurring just beyond their walls. It’s an unsettling, thought-provoking piece that offers a unique perspective on the banality of evil, though its cold detachment may not resonate with everyone.
The film centers on Rudolf Höss (Christian Friedel), the commandant of Auschwitz, and his wife Hedwig (Sandra Hüller), as they live a life of comfort and routine in a picturesque home bordering the concentration camp. Glazer’s direction is meticulous, with each scene capturing the stark contrast between the horrors unfolding nearby and the Höss family’s domestic tranquility. This juxtaposition, haunting in its simplicity, drives home the message that evil can exist in the most ordinary settings, embodied not by monsters but by individuals immersed in their daily routines.
Sandra Hüller’s performance as Hedwig is remarkable in its restraint. Her character’s unsettling normalcy—tending to her garden, caring for her children, hosting gatherings—creates an almost unbearable tension. Hüller manages to convey the quiet denial and moral blindness of a woman who sees the camp as simply another part of her husband’s “work.” Christian Friedel also brings a disturbing normalcy to Rudolf, showing him as an unremarkable man who, outside his horrific job, appears to be a typical father and husband. The pair’s chemistry is eerily serene, capturing the chilling detachment that enables them to live unbothered by the monstrosities occurring mere meters away.
Visually, Zone of Interest is stunning in its austerity. Glazer’s use of long, static shots and stark framing reinforces the film’s minimalist, observational approach. Rather than depicting any scenes inside the camp, the film leaves much to the viewer’s imagination, creating a quiet tension that grows more suffocating with each passing scene. The sounds—both mundane and sinister—are integral, with distant cries, gunshots, and train noises acting as constant reminders of the atrocities nearby. The sound design immerses us in this paradoxical world, where beauty and horror coexist in sickening proximity.
One of Zone of Interest‘s greatest strengths—and also its most significant challenge for audiences—is its cold, detached tone. The film avoids any direct portrayal of violence, and there’s no attempt to build an emotional narrative or provide a satisfying arc for the characters. Instead, Glazer keeps the audience at arm’s length, forcing us to sit with the discomfort of the characters’ indifference. This lack of conventional storytelling can make the film feel distant, almost alienating, and may leave some viewers struggling to connect. But for those willing to engage with its challenging approach, the film is a powerful meditation on complicity and denial.
Where Zone of Interest falls slightly short is in its repetitive pacing. The detached style, though effective in conveying the moral void of its characters, sometimes feels like it’s circling the same point. Certain scenes linger longer than necessary, and the film’s refusal to deviate from its stark tone can become exhausting. This repetition reinforces the film’s themes but may leave some viewers feeling emotionally disconnected by the end.
Ultimately, Zone of Interest is a daring, unsettling film that refuses to moralize or provide easy answers. It’s a film that forces us to confront the depths of human indifference and the horrors that can arise from ordinary lives lived next to atrocity. While its cold approach and slow pace won’t appeal to everyone, those willing to sit with its discomfort will find it a challenging and deeply impactful experience.
For those interested in boundary-pushing cinema that delves into the darkness of the human psyche, Zone of Interest is a haunting and memorable film. It’s an unflinching look at the banality of evil, driven by powerful performances and a restrained, chilling directorial vision.