Watch Waiting for the Barbarians

Waiting for the Barbarians is a dramatic film directed by Ciro Guerra and released in 2019. The film is based on the novel of the same name by J.M. Coetzee and stars Mark Rylance, Johnny Depp, and Robert Pattinson. The story is set in a fictional empire that is in a state of constant conflict with the indigenous people who live beyond its borders. Rylance plays the role of a magistrate who is tasked with maintaining order in one of the empire's frontier towns. He is a principled man who believes in justice and the rule of law.

At the beginning of the film, the magistrate receives a visit from a military officer played by Johnny Depp. The officer brings with him a prisoner, an indigenous man who is accused of being a spy. The magistrate is troubled by the prisoner's treatment and begins to question the empire's policies towards the indigenous people.

Despite his reservations, the magistrate continues to do his job and manage the affairs of the town. He becomes friends with a local woman played by Gana Bayarsaikhan, who helps him to learn more about the customs and beliefs of the indigenous people.

As the story unfolds, the magistrate becomes increasingly disillusioned with the empire and its treatment of the indigenous people. He witnesses acts of violence and brutality committed by the empire's soldiers and begins to question whether he can continue to be a part of this system.

The situation in the town becomes more complicated when a colonel, played by Robert Pattinson, arrives with a group of soldiers. The colonel is determined to root out any resistance to the empire's rule and begins to carry out violent raids on the indigenous people.

The magistrate is torn between his loyalty to the empire and his desire to do what is right. He knows that speaking out against the colonel's actions could put him in danger, but he also knows that he cannot stand by and watch innocent people suffer.

Waiting for the Barbarians is a thought-provoking film that explores themes of power, oppression, and justice. The story is told through the eyes of a man who is struggling to reconcile his beliefs with the reality of the world around him. The performances are excellent, with Mark Rylance delivering a nuanced and powerful portrayal of the magistrate.

The film's visuals are also stunning, with beautiful cinematography that captures the stark beauty of the desert landscape and the harsh realities of life in a frontier town. The score, composed by Italian composer Giampiero Ambrosi, is haunting and evocative, adding to the film's sense of unease and tension.

Overall, Waiting for the Barbarians is a film that will challenge viewers to think about the ways in which power is wielded and the responsibilities that come with holding authority. It is a timely reminder that we must always remain vigilant in the face of oppression and strive to do what is right, even in the face of overwhelming adversity.

Waiting for the Barbarians is a 2020 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 54 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9 and a MetaScore of 52.