MovieChat Forums > Irréversible (2002) Discussion > Anyone who saw this film not knowing muc...

Anyone who saw this film not knowing much about it?

posted 12 years ago by mustard_monkey
19 replies | jump to latest

The thing I always find with films as controversial as Irreversible is that it becomes considered acceptable for reviewers and journalists to talk about everything that happens in the film, even if it may be considered a spoiler or some such. When I saw Irreversible I pretty much knew all the major events and plot points in the film from reading articles and hearing people talk about it. Especially as a film and drama student, it was pretty impossible to come to this film without any prior knowledge. Everyone I know who's seen it is the same.

I'm just curious if there are any people out there who saw this film knowing little or nothing about it? I know there are people who didn't know about the fire extinguisher scene, but did anyone see it not knowing about the rape scene? Even if you knew that there was a rape scene but didn't know about the length or intensity of it? I can't imagine what it would be like seeing this film and reaching that part, not realising it was going to go on for about ten minutes!

[–] Shaza123 12 years ago

It seems to me that this type of film is so notorious that it's very unlikely people would watch it without knowing what they were getting themselves into, though I'm sure there is the odd one or two people who weren't prepared.
Even though I knew what to expect, I still found it quite an ordeal, it's a very brutal film, very disturbing.

"He's not the Messiah. He's a very naughty boy!"

[–] TheMichael 12 years ago

Before I bought the DVD all I knew was the rape scene. But I didn't know what was going to happen, or how. Me no like spoilers.... I was in that phase when I wanted to watch gut-turning movies, no know? But I still wanted a GOOD movie, and this movie has a good rating, so I went with it..... Who am I kidding? I'm still in that phase. I love disturbing thrillers. And of course you need a variety. Can't just watch torture porn ALL THE TIME. But some can be disappointing too. I want story too, you know. Martyrs! Now that was an amazing movie. Gory AND thought provoking.

But in all honesty I bought Irreversible mostly because of Monica Bellucci. She's a cool lady. This movie is definitely not one I can stomach to watch without taking a long break, but I love the long takes, and the imagery, and just getting in the mood of it all after you see all the horribleness that happens. Roger Ebert had it right in his review on the movie.

[–] Shaza123 12 years ago

That would have been an interesting experience watching it not knowing much about it. Wow!

"He's not the Messiah. He's a very naughty boy!"

[–] the_reaper-freak 11 years ago

I had no idea what was expecting me when I watched this movie. I choose it because of a good rating and since it was mentioned on some "best movie list" I found in some board. Only thing I knew was that the movie is about rape.
I watched it with my boyfriend and we didn't like the beginning with the disturbing camera work. When we got to the fire extinguisher scene, I actually wanted to turn the movie of because it was too brutal.
However, we contiued watching and soon found out the movie tells a story backwards. From that point I was somewhat curious about what led to this guy going into the gay bar bringing everybody up against him.

The rape scene was pretty disturbing to me, however, my boyfriend was wondering why she wouldn't fight harder when she was lying on the ground - like sticking her fingers into his eyes or something. From that point I didn't find it 100% authentic anymore.

All in all I would say, I didn't like the movie that much but it was definitely quite disturbing.

[–] finsfan_ct-615-750348 11 years ago

If he can't understand why she didn't fight harder, ask him to think HARD what it would be like to be attacked by someone stronger than him, be flat on your stomach, who has a knife to his throat and threatening your life?

She tried to scream, clawed at the ground trying to get away.

[–] lizzy00 11 years ago

"The rape scene was pretty disturbing to me, however, my boyfriend was wondering why she wouldn't fight harder when she was lying on the ground - like sticking her fingers into his eyes or something. From that point I didn't find it 100% authentic anymore".

Did you see the scene where he threatens to slit her throat? He threatens to kill her throughout the whole ordeal. She fights back the entire time by trying to scream for help. Your statement is pretty loaded. The character is overwhelmed with shock. I cannot believe the authenticity went down for you because she "didn't aim for his eye".

Would you discredit every other rape victim in the world just like that?

[–] LnineB 11 years ago

* Spoilers*.

I knew nothing about it. I was just in my disturbing drama phase when it came out and actually was still renting movies from a video store that had a lot of disturbing foreign films. Two friends of mine had seen it in the theaters but just said it was disturbing. I watch everything, and I mean everything. My roommates are shocked by the things I watch because I'm a girl, but I can say this, it was the most disturbing thing I've seen ever. It bothered me for a week and it was mostly the beating part of the rape, not the sexual act. When he started hitting her afterwards I actually stopped a movie for the first time and pondered about not finishing it. I just couldn't take the abuse he was giving her. The fight in the club was brutal also but it came up so fast, I didn't have time to digest it but I can see why some people think that is the worse part.

The only thing I've seen since that have come close to disturbing that way was Serbian film and a porn video called face abuse or smash or something like that. Both were more sick than disturbing but I almost turned them off as well.

[–] scottieweiss 11 years ago

My friend warned me there was something at the end which disturbed you and stayed in your head (the pregnancy revelation). I found even the first ten minutes shocking (with the pervert's monologue in prison). I thought the rape scene would never end, but of course, sadly, there are animals out there who rape, and I guess it's better that society be reminded of the reality of it.

And yes, the end where you find out you've been watching the death of a baby all along was shocking.

@ the poster who asked why the rape victim didn't struggle more: I thought she was pinned down face down and badly stunned? Probably self-defense training is needed to successfully fend off an attack from behind - it's much harder than it looks.

[–] Leepal 11 years ago

I actually knew very little about this movie before I saw it a few years ago. For whatever reason I was not aware of the controversy around it, I obviously didn't follow movie news at the time. I was vaguely aware of a film with the fire extinguisher scene, as a friend had mentioned it, but I wasn't sure if this was the one. I had no idea there was a rape and was quite shell shocked by the end of the movie. I couldn't believe how prolonged and graphic the rape scene was.

I did think it was very clever the way the film was put together and have thought about re-watching it...if I can endure it again!

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] ScreamQuietly 11 years ago

I just finished watching this film not even 5 minutes ago and I had NO CLUE it was what it was. I just picked a random movie off netflix that I had never seen before because I was going to just let it play while I fell asleep... That was a brilliant idea!

That said I was not "disturbed" by the fire extinguisher scene in the least... dont know what that says about me but it really didnt bother me. I can pretty much sit through anything and not be shocked or disturbed.. However, that being said the rape scene did make me look away for a second. It was just so realistic but the part that got me was how long it went on for. That scene just triggered a lot of memories and I think if it wasnt so long and drawn out that wouldnt have happened.

I wont be watching this one again... I really didnt think it was a good movie but once the fire extinguisher thing happened I was wide awake.

<3 A quiet man is a thinking man, a quiet woman is hatching a plan ;) <3

[–] tomholland2016 9 years ago

I laughed so hard at the fire extinguisher scene... The face that got smashed by that thing was clearly 100% CGI. The first four punch were pretty believable but starting for thr fifth, you could look clearly, the CGI was there.

[–] dh4645 11 years ago

yeah i just watched it on netflix...recommended to me by someone on a gaming site.

it was ok. the beginning was annoying with the camera & the stupid noise.sounds repeated over & over .

MB is so FINE

[–] umbra-3 11 years ago

I was incredibly lucky,I knew nothing about it!And I mean nothing at all.Actually I almost always know nothing about the movies I see except, maybe ,who was involved and that is the best way to watch cinema.Oh,loved the film,truly original.One of the best.