Leviathan (2014)

Leviathan is a slow-burning, emotionally raw crime drama set in a bleak coastal town on the Barents Sea. The film follows Kolya, a modest mechanic whose life — his house, land and small workshop — is threatened by a corrupt local mayor determined to take it all. Desperate, Kolya turns to an old army friend now working as a forceful Moscow lawyer. Their attempt to fight back ignites a chain of events that bring further misfortune and forces the family to confront the merciless power structures around them. Watching Leviathan you’ll experience a tense, uncompromising portrait of injustice and moral decay: long, atmospheric scenes that emphasize silence and landscape; intense, understated performances from the central family; and a legal and personal struggle that gradually spirals into tragedy. The film blends intimate family drama with a critique of corruption and the implacability of authority, leaving viewers with a sense of anger, helplessness and awe at its stark visual and emotional power. If you like character-driven stories that favor mood, moral ambiguity and searing social commentary over easy resolutions, Leviathan offers a haunting, unforgettable viewing experience.

Actors: Aleksey Serebryakov, Elena Lyadova, Roman Madyanov

Director: Andrey Zvyagintsev

Runtime: 140 min

Genres: Crime, Drama

7.2 /10 92 /100 7.6 /10 8.0 /10