Sep. 06, 2016|USA|119 Min.|R
Genre: Drama;Horror;Science;Fiction
Description: The Bad Batch, a 2016 film directed by Ana Lily Amirpour, follows her acclaimed debut, *A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night*, which was famously dubbed the “first Iranian vampire western.” Her sophomore effort continues in a similar genre vein but on a larger and more ambitious scale, featuring a high-profile cast. The story centers on Arlen, portrayed by Suki Waterhouse, a seemingly innocent woman exiled from the United States into the Mexican desert. She is part of the so-called “bad batch,” a group of undesirable citizens deemed unfit to remain in society. After wandering the barren landscape, Arlen is captured and taken to The Bridge, a camp inhabited by savage, steroid-fueled individuals. There, she is chained up, and two of her limbs are severed for food, a fate shared by others in the camp. The camp’s prominent American flag serves as a symbolic critique of a powerful nation represented by narcissistic and cruel figures.
Arlen eventually escapes with the help of a wandering hobo, played by Jim Carrey, and finds herself in another camp called Comfort. Unlike The Bridge, Comfort is home to society’s most marginalized—immigrants, the mentally ill, and the disabled. At first glance, it appears to have a rough charm and a sense of community, resembling a vibrant but impoverished neighborhood. However, it is governed by a quirky yet sinister cult leader, portrayed by Keanu Reeves, who encourages the residents to “follow the dream.” The film’s opening sequence is both unsettling and visually striking, setting the tone for a story rich in metaphor and symbolism.
Cast director: Ana Lily Amirpour
Cast actor: Suki Waterhouse, Jason Momoa, Giovanni Ribisi, Keanu Reeves, Jim Carrey, Yolonda Ross, Jayda Fink, Diego Luna, Cory Roberts, E.R. Ruiz
Original name: The Bad Batch