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Ana Lily Amirpour's unique 2016 film The Bad Batch is a post-apocalyptic fever dream that left me stunned in its vision and execution.
Set in a futuristic Texas desert landscape, the film features a group of scheming outsiders played by an eccentric cast that includes Suki Waterhouse, Keanu Reeves, Jim Carrey and Jason Momoa.
Amirpour creates a lawless yet poetic world with a signature visual style reminiscent of independent film greats like Gus Van Sant. Each grainy frame looks like a work of art meant to haunt the viewer.
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The narrative elusively explores notions of found family, cult madness and primal urges of humanity far from the constraints of civilization. Like the best science fiction, it functions as social commentary in a strange disguise.
Waterhouse captivates in a lead role that demands stamina beyond her character's years. And Momoa delivers perhaps his most unhinged performance to date.
Though polarizing for some, Amirpour's raw and provocative approach left me spellbound. She's an original voice working on the fringes of genres with a bold vision.
The Bad Batch is challenging, but those who surrender to its wild world are rewarded with haunting beauty and gritty storytelling that won't soon fade.
Though The Bad Batch initially flew under the radar for awards, over time its prescient vision has been gaining recognition:
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At independent film festivals like Sundance, SXSW and Fantasia, it received accolades for Amirpour's bold directorial debut and original neo-Western style.
The film was commercially successful, grossing $1.3 million worldwide on a minuscule budget of only $8 million.
On the festival circuit, Waterhouse was acclaimed for her raw, gritty performance, which helped establish her credentials in indie drama beyond modeling.
Waterhouse received the Best Actress trophy from the London Film Critics Circle, a testament to her belated recognition.