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Brutal 'Nightingale' Worth Listening To

Be wary of "The Nightingale," a powerful new movie worth seeking out should you choose to do so. It's a brutal and deeply upsetting film at almost every turn, but director Jennifer Kent ("The Babadook") handles the film's unsettling moments with purpose and conviction. Even so, be warned before entering the film.

Set in colonial Australia in 1825, Clare (Aisling Franciosi) has been enslaved by British commander Lieutenant Hawkins (Sam Claflin) for seven years. She is treated as a servant by Hawkins and his men, serving them food and drinks and being subjected to their crude comments and gestures. She is referred to as a nightingale because she serenades them on command as they sit around and get drunk.

Clare is a new mother and wife and constantly pleads with Hawkins to set her free. She has served her time for her crimes and is repeatedly promised a letter of recommendation, which will free her. Hawkins is in no hurry to keep his end of whatever bargain Clare seems to think they had. He's a sadistic man and keeps Clare around for his pleasure and, in some ways, amusement. Holding his power and stature over her is enough of a thrill for him. A series of violent events leads Clare on a quest for revenge against Hawkins and his crew.

So begins Clare's long, painstaking journey through the Outback. "The Nightingale" clocks in at 136 minutes and takes its time as the pain swells and becomes unbearable. It's unquestionably a tough sit, feeling like a bit of a chore at times, but Kent doesn't revel in the violence. She is more interested in depicting the brutality as a dark moment in time, rather than trying to elicit cheap thrills from her audience. She never lingers in hardest moments of her film.

Franciosi has some credits on her filmography - most notably a couple episodes of "Game of Thrones" - but "The Nightingale" is a major breakout for the actress. Clare is put through hell and Franciosi channels determination in the face of the unspeakable. Kent doesn't turn her into a victim. Equally strong is Claflin, who may not have fully registered in movies up until point. He is terrifying and despicable as Hawkins, even though the character might be a bit thin on the page.

"The Nightingale" isn't a fist-pumping revenge flick, even when certain beats might make it feel that way. Kent is a much deeper filmmaker. She is interested in the motivations behind the action more so than the action itself. It's a rarity, but it's what makes "The Nightingale" worth experiencing.