“Irreversible” is one of the most shocking and disgraceful films ever made. Directed by Gaspar Noé (“Climax”), “Irreversible” features a reference to “2001: A Space Odyssey”, almost comparing itself to the classic as another great experience of cinema. However, “Irreversible” is almost like the polar opposite. While “2001” is beautiful and majestic, “Irreversible” is vile and repugnant. The subject matter is depraved and the depictions of sex and violence extreme. Even worse is that the technical aspects of the film, make it dangerous.

Shown with the scenes in reverse-chronological order, we see the graphically violent rape suffered by Alex (Monica Bellucci “The Matrix Reloaded”, “Malena”) in a Parisian underpass by a sadistic stranger. Alex’s boyfriend (Vincent Cassel “The Black Swan”) and her ex (Albert Dupontel “Dead Man’s Hand”) go to avenge her.

Monica Bellucci suffers for her ‘art’ in this film as the lengthy rape sequence looks like it would have been rather unpleasurable even as simply part of a mere film. The interactions she has with her boyfriend and ex-boyfriend and not particularly engaging. There is an awful lot of nudity in this film and a sequence near the begin contains some of the most disgusting and depraved sexual activity in a film that was widely distributed.

We see some truly unsettling levels of violence and sexual depravity but perhaps even worse is the technical aspects of “Irreversible”. The camera moves in a really disorientating way but then there is also strobe effects and the sound design has caused many viewers to become physically ill. This is dangerous filmmaking for no real reason. This is not some test for military recruits, this is just meant to be a film but it seems to go out of its way to make viewers feel literally sick. I get that the subject matter is shocking and the film maybe trying to convey that but to try and physically damage your audience is just irresponsible. I hated this film for its disgusting depravity with tons of despicable acts graphically shown but it is the technical aspects that are unforgiveable.