“I just want you to know that I'm not that monster, you know. Everything you hear in the trial it's just.. it's twisted. It wasn't like that.”

Anatomy of a Fall is a murder mystery and courtroom drama from Justine Triet, that intrigues with its complex mystery.

Intricately crafted, the writing draws out the characters, and pushes them to their absolute limits. Choosing to unravel the repulsive reality that the characters are resistant to face throughout the court case was an excellent decision, that gave those scenes so much intensity and gripped me entirely. Those seeds that are planted throughout the plot give it great rewatch value. It’s all wrapped up by a good ending, it felt slightly out of the blue but it works.

Justine Triet shapes the film excellently. The film is calm one minute, simmering beneath the surface, then constantly fast-paced the next. The cold of the mountains against the warmth of the courtroom created a foreign feel that emphasised the foreign feeling of the situation. She presents the humanity in each character, no matter how in the wrong they are, and makes the audience question who they can really trust.

The script has some really great moments, offering the actors a chance at some fantastic monologues. It has a dry sense of humour. The comedy is reserved yet effective, and brings another kick to the fast-paced moments. The choice to play 50 Cent’s ‘P.I.M.P’ is a great example of the film’s darkly comedic moments, though it also works as a haunting theme that transports the audience back to the tense opening.

I wasn’t aware it was this much of a courtroom drama, but that turned out not to be a bad thing by any means. The methodical approach to murders from the investigators was great to watch, unfortunately it didn’t get as much attention as the courtroom scenes but I enjoyed both equally. The courtroom scenes were elevated and became quite exciting to watch, differing from the mundane versions of those scenes that tend to be depicted in films. The performative barristers pace the floor with their rehearsed lines of reasoning, whilst the witness is forced to watch and answer, panicked and emotional.

Sandra Hüller is the beating heart of this film. The film is great in other factors, as I’ve said before, but she takes it to another level. She displays the emotional toll of not only the loss of a loved one but also being a suspect in their death incredibly. Solemn and subtle throughout, but bursting with emotion when needed. The best female performance of last year.
Swann Arlaud is also great in his role, and Milo Machado-Graner is possibly one of the strongest youth performers out there. And I didn’t realise how much that dog’s performance lived up to the hype, great acting from a good boy. 

One of the strongest films of 2023. Definitely. I’m absolutely going to watch more films from Justine Triet soon, and I hope to see more films as engaging and intricate as this release in the future.

2023 RANKED