Watch Partisan

Partisan is a 2015 Australian thriller film directed by Ariel Kleiman and co-written with Sarah Cyngler. It stars French actor Vincent Cassel as the lead character, Gregori, a cult leader who rules over a secluded community of women and children. The film features an outstanding performance by child actor Jeremy Chabriel in his debut role, and introduces Florence Mezzara as one of the women in the cult. It was Kleiman's debut feature film, and garnered numerous accolades for its direction, screenplay, cinematography, and score.

The plot revolves around the life of Alexander (Chabriel), a boy growing up in an isolated compound with Gregori and his mother, Susanna (Mezzara), and a community of women and children. Gregori is revered as the spiritual leader of this group, and his word is law. Alexander and the other children are trained into becoming assassins, taught to carry out executions in the outside world. However, as Alexander grows older, he starts to question Gregori's teachings and the values of the cult. He is conflicted between his loyalty to Gregori and his conscience.

The film draws inspiration from real-life cults such as the Manson Family and The People's Temple. The setting is a dystopian world where the outside world is never explained, but it is implied that it is dangerous and unstable. The compound is a self-contained microcosm where everything is controlled by Gregori, even the behavior of the women and children. The use of color, light, and sound is masterfully conveyed to create a dark, eerie ambiance throughout the film.

Vincent Cassel gives a chilling portrayal of the charismatic Gregori, who is both captivating and terrifying. He presents a façade of charm and fatherly affection towards the children but reveals himself to be a cruel and manipulative man who will stop at nothing to maintain his power over his followers. He takes on a messianic persona, entitled to their absolute obedience, even if it means taking innocent lives. His character challenges the audience's views on what defines a leader and the extent of their actions for the greater good.

The cinematography is stunning, and each shot is meticulously composed to convey the oppressive nature of the cult. The stunning backdrop of a sprawling ranch located in a picturesque landscape serves as a stark contrast to the violence and brutality that occur within its walls. The use of close-ups, pans, and tracking shots masterfully convey the intensity of the emotions and interactions between the characters.

The musical score is haunting and atmospheric, creating a sense of tension and dread throughout the film. The sound design also helps to immerse the audience in the disturbing world of the cult; the sounds of machinery transforms into an orchestral crescendo serving to heighten the audience's feelings and expectations.

Jeremy Chabriel, in his debut performance, steals the show as Alexander, the boy at the center of the story. He manages to convey a range of emotions that charismatically conveys the moral dilemma that he's struggling with. He portrays a character that is both sympathetic and complex.

Florence Mezzara also delivers a strong performance as Susanna, as she grapples with the consequences of her actions, and the burden of raising her son in such an environment.

Overall, Partisan is an intense and gripping thriller that explores complex themes of power, obedience, and sacrifice. Kleiman's debut feature film exhibits a mastery of craft and artistry that defies his experience in the film industry. The film, while not for everybody, creates a stark and dystopian world that is evocative of Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale or George Orwell's 1984. Its performances, coupled with amazing production values, make it a must-watch for fans of the thriller genre.

Partisan is a 2015 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8 and a MetaScore of 50.