'You Were Never Really Here' Is a Stimulating Psychological Character Study

You Were Never Really Here follows Joe (Joaquin Phoenix), a combat veteran and ex-FBI agent dealing with psychological and social issues due to childhood trauma and PTSD, who makes a living by rescuing kidnapped/trafficked girls while employing brutal tactics against those responsible.  In his latest assignment, he’s asked to find and rescue a Senator’s daughter (Ekaterina Samsonov).  This soon proves to be his most dangerous job yet as he finds himself dealing with a powerful political pedophilia ring.

Though its premise seems to suggest that it’s an action thriller film, it’s really not.  Though there are some fights and violence, they are mostly muted and brief.  Joe attacks his enemies with a hammer, but the damage inflicted is seldom shown.  Still, it’s fascinatingly strange how this movie can effectively come off as a brutal watch without really showing much brutality.

It’s more of a character study drama centered on Joe.  Through smart edits and Phoenix’s nuanced performance, it compellingly shows the workings of the character’s psyche as the narrative explores how his traumas has shaped his MO, worldview, and personality, and how the job may push him to finally succumb to his suicidal tendencies or serve as an opportunity for him to find peace and redemption.  And this is honestly as riveting to watch as having him go on a bloody, action-packed rampage.

Lastly, I love that this film won’t spell out everything.  It requires the audience to think and fill in some of the blanks for themselves.  However, it’s not too clever for its own good.  It doesn’t get too complicated and vague that it becomes pretentious and hard to follow.  Rather, it’s mentally stimulating.

You Were Never Really Here is one of 2018’s must-watch films.