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With The Rover, David Michôd created an unforgettable modern western steeped in existential terror.
Set in the desolate Australian outback after the collapse of society, Guy Pearce delivers the performance of his career as Eric, an emotionally closed-off loner on the hunt for his stolen car.
Michôd creates a nightmarish portrait of a future we'd rather not consider, where community has rotted and humanity shows its most barbaric face.
Robert Pattinson also snarls and surprises as the feral Reyks, Eric's volatile captive.
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But it is Pearce's almost silent demonstrations of Eric's latent hatred and damaged soul that leave the most indelible mark.
His scenes throb with searing intensity beneath composite edges.
Though perhaps too nihilistic for some, The Rover plumbs thought-provoking depths of human nature, revenge and existential agony with unflinching power.
It confirms Michôd among the most thought-provoking provocateurs in contemporary cinema.
This gritty character study will endure for exposing the deepest shadows of our species.
The Rover received widespread acclaim upon its release in 2014, with Guy Pearce receiving a Best Actor nomination from the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts.
Robert Pattinson also earned praise for his unnerving supporting turn. The film has gone on to develop a strong cult following.
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Commercially, while not a massive box office hit, The Rover found its audience on home media formats. It grossed $2.2 million in Australian theaters against a $12 million budget.
Overseas it made $4.3 million for a worldwide total of $6.5 million, showing that dedicated audiences sought out its harrowing story in the aftermath.
More than awards or earnings, The Rover has cemented writer/director David Michôd as a singular cinematic voice, with his grim future vision leaving an indelible mark.
With its unflinching portrait of human degradation and themes of vengeance, the film has endured as one of the decade's most thought-provoking indies.
While perhaps too austere for mainstream success, The Rover's impact is assured as insightful cinema that will haunt repeat viewers for years to come. A work of immense power.