The Under the Skin director’s Oscar-nominated drama encapsulates how evil can flourish even under mundane circumstances. The heartbreaking drama is loosely based on the 2014 novel by Martin Amis, set in Nazi Germany. Jonathan Glazer’s chilling The Zone of Interest, has been hailed by viewers as an “absolute masterpiece”. Released in 2023, the film tells the story of an idyllic home life, and the greatest horror of the 20th century, side by side. The Zone of Interest –was the 40-square-kilometre area (15.5-square-mile) around the Auschwitz concentration camps designed by the Nazis to shield the camps from allied attacks and from the outside world’s knowledge.
It tells the story of real-life camp commandant Rudolf Hoss and his wife Hedwig and their children within the Zone of Interest, following their mundane concerns, ambitions and frustrations while World War II rages on. The Oscar-nominated picture has received a near perfect score of 93% as viewers praised the adaptation which is available to stream on Amazon Prime.
One viewer gushed: “An absolute masterpiece on the banality of evil. Brilliant performances. Chilling at how easily people can accept horrors if they benefit. Should have won Best Picture.”
“Exceeds every expectation and, in my humble opinion, blows Oppenheimer out of the water. Impeccably researched and rendered. Highly relevant, a necessary watch,” another penned.
A third wrote: “Well acted and well written this film made me feel the evil in the air.”
A fourth shared: “One of the most powerful films I’ve ever seen. I didn’t know you could convey horror through juxtaposition like that. A required watch for every human on earth.”
“Amazing. Devastating and raw, this movie is amazing,” another remarked.
A sixth added: “A movie that will truly disturb you to your core. The director’s unique approach to using sound as the driving tool throughout the film is really well done. Sandra Hüller and Christian Friedel doing an excellent job at portraying cognitive dissonance at its finest.”
The film was nominated for five Oscars, including best film, plus nine Baftas last year.