The title of this film comes from the French word, revenir (to return). Revenant basically means ‘one who returns after death, as a spirit or ghost.’

Set in the 1820’s, Leonardo di Caprio plays a frontiersman named Glass who is part of a hunting crew, collecting pelts on land which belongs to the native American Cree tribe.

In an effort to escape their pursuers, the hunting crew flee across mountainous terrain and Glass is mauled by a bear and left to die by members of the group.

This epic is cinematically brilliant, with beautiful photography, great sound editing, impeccable direction from Alejandro Innaritu, a great supporting cast, lead by Tom Hardy and Domnhall Gleeson, and a raw, visceral, Oscar-worthy portrayal by di Caprio.

But, it is so difficult to watch!!

Firstly, it’s over 2 and a half hours long, and it moves quite slowly. Secondly, it is relentlessly, horribly violent and gory and terribly graphic!!! It is an arduous, visual assault that I could not repeat.

For its near-perfect form, it gets a 9/10. But for enjoyment and watchability, 6/10.