The eponymous Katalin is a Romanian peasant woman (played by Hilda Péter) who, banished by her husband, is travelling by horse and cart with young son Orbán (Norbert Tankó) through the Carpathian mountains.
Her quest? To find and take revenge on the two men who raped her in a forest years earlier. But then she discovers that one of her attackers, Antal (Tibor Pálffy), is now a devoted family man…
Remarkably, this isn’t the work of a seasoned eastern European filmmaker, but the feature debut of thirtysomething British director/scripter/ producer Peter Strickland.
Deliberately paced, it has the timeless, brooding quality of a tragic folk tale, in which violence begets more violence. Strickland builds and sustains an ominous atmosphere through stark images, artfully heightened sound design and an otherworldly score.
He’s not the only first-timer who dazzles – newcomer Péter brings fierce commitment to her avenging-angel role.
Katalin Varga review
A Romanian woman treks the mountains looking for revenge...
Why you can trust GamesRadar+
More info
Available platforms | Movie |
Less
Latest
A massive Spanish Pokemon tournament that starts out with a Stardew Valley-style Nuzlocke was won by an exploding "trash-bird"
Henry Cavill seemingly references his Black Adam cameo and subsequent Superman exit: "Turns out, I don't have much luck with post-credits scenes"
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth's writer once resisted finishing where the original JRPG's tragic twist occurs, preferring a point that could have led to a much shorter game
See comments