Watch The Mountain

Set in the 1950s, The Mountain is a stunning and thought-provoking film that explores what it means to be human, the power of memory, the fragility of the mind, and the complexities of relationships. Directed by Rick Alverson, the movie stars Tye Sheridan as Andy, a young man who becomes the assistant of a traveling lobotomist named Dr. Wallace Fiennes (Udo Kier).

As the movie opens, Andy is working at his father's shop, helping to make dentures. But when his father suddenly dies, he is left with nothing to do and no one to turn to. That's when he encounters Dr. Fiennes, who is traveling across the country giving lobotomies to people who are suffering from mental illness.

At first, Andy is hesitant to join the strange doctor on his journey. But as their relationship develops, Andy becomes fascinated with Dr. Fiennes' work and the way he interacts with his patients. Although Dr. Fiennes is cold and distant, he slowly begins to take Andy under his wing and teach him the intricacies of the lobotomy procedure.

Andy's position in Dr. Fiennes' world takes a surreal turn when they travel to a remote sanatorium run by a tight-lipped administrator named Sinclair (played by Larry Fessenden). There, the patients are kept sedated and immobile, except for one: a beautiful, silent woman named Susan (Hannah Gross). Andy is immediately drawn to her, and their strange, muted connection becomes a hauntingly beautiful part of the movie.

As Andy and Dr. Fiennes continue on their journey, the movie becomes a series of surreal and dreamlike vignettes that are both disturbing and mesmerizing. We see Andy becoming more and more entangled in Dr. Fiennes' world, even as the doctor himself begins to unravel. It's clear that both characters are haunted by something in their past, and the lobotomies that Dr. Fiennes administers may be his way of escaping from his own memories.

The Mountain is a visually stunning movie, with eerie landscapes and beautifully framed shots that serve to underscore the strangeness of the characters and their surroundings. The movie's score is also haunting and powerful, evoking the loneliness and isolation that pervades the story.

Tye Sheridan gives a powerful performance as Andy, keeping a lid on his emotions until they slowly boil over in the movie's final scenes. Udo Kier is both terrifying and sympathetic as Dr. Fiennes, a man who seems to be searching for something that he can never find. Hannah Gross is also incredible as Susan, conveying deep emotions with nothing more than her eyes and facial expressions.

If there's one thing that The Mountain isn't, it's predictable. At times, the movie's narrative takes a back seat to its powerful visuals and mood, leaving viewers to piece together the story as it unfolds. But this is ultimately a part of the movie's magic, allowing for interpretation and speculation long after the credits have rolled.

Overall, The Mountain is a haunting and deeply felt movie that will stick with you long after it's over. It's a movie that's not afraid to tackle tough questions about humanity, mental illness, and the price of helping others. If you're a fan of movies that are as beautiful as they are unsettling, be sure to give The Mountain a watch.

The Mountain is a 2019 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 46 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5 and a MetaScore of 64.