Waiting for the Barbarians
Samuel Goldwyn Films | Release Date (Streaming): August 7, 2020
6.2
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 37 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
15
Mixed:
17
Negative:
5
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
7
netflicJan 20, 2021
There is a Russian joke that goes similar to this:
A general returns from a military campaign and reports to his emperor:
- "Your Highness, I defeated your enemies on the Southern border". - "But I do not have enemies on the Southern border",There is a Russian joke that goes similar to this:
A general returns from a military campaign and reports to his emperor:
- "Your Highness, I defeated your enemies on the Southern border".
- "But I do not have enemies on the Southern border", remarks the emperor.
- "You do now", says the general.

This movie is a philosophical drama that takes place on the border of a fictional empire somewhere in the beginning of the last century. A small outpost of the empirelives in harmony with peaceful nomads who some in the capital consider barbarians.That quickly changes when a police colonel comes to the outpost with an inspection.By the time the movie ends one might think who are the barbarians, nomads or the army?The film is very slow yet it has lots of violence. Definitely not for children.In my opinion the movie is quite good. Your mileage might vary.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
RalfbergsApr 6, 2021
This message has great message and great cast, but something is missing to it, to be memorable. I liked the idea and acting but the story seemed a bit too simple overall and outstretched for me to think now this was a great and memorableThis message has great message and great cast, but something is missing to it, to be memorable. I liked the idea and acting but the story seemed a bit too simple overall and outstretched for me to think now this was a great and memorable movie. Still good though and shows how torture is mostly pointless etc.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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10
saltdiscusAug 13, 2020
It isnt boring movie but if you like torture then you will enjoy this movie.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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5
JLuis_001Sep 11, 2020
Good intentions that doesn't flourish in a disappointing and tedious drama.

It was an utter shame to see Mark Rylance being squandered on a character that feels pretty unlikely. I mean, he's a conqueror who has a conscience while he'sGood intentions that doesn't flourish in a disappointing and tedious drama.

It was an utter shame to see Mark Rylance being squandered on a character that feels pretty unlikely.
I mean, he's a conqueror who has a conscience while he's stealing the land of others.
So if you're trying to build some sympathy for him, with that plot, it ain't happening.

The same thing happens with the stiff character that Johnny Deep delivers. Robert Pattinson makes an appearance as well but he's role is pretty much irrelevant.

I was hoping for something more engaging, didn't happen.
Film looks great, no complains about that, but the rest just wasn't there.… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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1
BitashDec 30, 2021
I have it a one since I liked Mark Rylance performance as a wimpy general, or else it be a zero rating. Movie is slow, Nothing ever happens!!! Johnny adepts role is minor, super minor….Robert Pattinson does a 3 sec appearance. Movie has noI have it a one since I liked Mark Rylance performance as a wimpy general, or else it be a zero rating. Movie is slow, Nothing ever happens!!! Johnny adepts role is minor, super minor….Robert Pattinson does a 3 sec appearance. Movie has no plot, jus slow and boring. I disliked the wimpy general and didn’t believe Johnny Depps character. Over all, waste of my time. Worst movie I seen all year!… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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7
bertobellamyAug 5, 2022
'Waiting for the Barbarians,' of course, asks the obvious question: who really are the barbarians?

Channeling the spirit of 'The Mision', 'Silence' and 'Zama,' Ciro Guerra — who was accused of inappropriate sexual behavior some time ago —'Waiting for the Barbarians,' of course, asks the obvious question: who really are the barbarians?

Channeling the spirit of 'The Mision', 'Silence' and 'Zama,' Ciro Guerra — who was accused of inappropriate sexual behavior some time ago — delivers another commentary on imperialism. This is unmistakably the inferior of his last three films, but I didn't find it as bad as many people here did. Sure there's a feeling that nothing happens in some parts, and Johnny Depp and Robert Pattinson are underutilized. Still, Mark Rylance and Gana Bayarsaikhan do a fine job, inserting you into the complicated relationship between conqueror and "conquered."

In the end, Guerra's discourse — adapted from J. M. Coetzee's novel, who also wrote the screenplay — is not as impactful as, for example, 'Embrace of the Serpent;' nevertheless, the way Rylance's character is left relinquished of everything points not just to the brutality of imperialists, but to the inner conflict of a man whose ethics couldn't save him or what he thought he represented.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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3
imthenoobJul 15, 2023
The cast is brilliant but they are ultimately wasted on a vague plot that ends up going nowhere fast. I wanted to like this one a lot more than I did.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
alejandro970Apr 16, 2023
When one country occupies another, who are the barbarians? The idea in the foreground looked interesting but it doesn't go deep enough into the moral conflict; and the cast is wasted on one-dimensional characters.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
Kraken4Aug 8, 2020
Waiting for the Barbarians is a film directed by Ciro Guerra, and stars Mark Rylance, Johnny Depp, and Robert Pattinson. This is a historical drama where Mark Rylance plays the magistrate for this fortress on the frontier of the “Empire”.Waiting for the Barbarians is a film directed by Ciro Guerra, and stars Mark Rylance, Johnny Depp, and Robert Pattinson. This is a historical drama where Mark Rylance plays the magistrate for this fortress on the frontier of the “Empire”. There is no date or location given, and not even a name for the so-called “empire”. This is because the main theme deals heavily with imperialism, and the mistreatment that has gone on in almost every example of it. Johnny Depp and Robert Pattinson are the “bad” guys checking up on the frontier, and trying to handle the barbarians. Now that we have simple routine out of the way, let me describe how I personally thought this movie was. This film has very important themes, and strong performances, but struggles to really keep your attention. The movie starts off pretty strong, with this rivalry between Johnny Depp (who is brilliant in this by the way), and Mark Rylance. It was highly entertaining to see their ideology duel and it looked like it was going somewhere. However, then we get to the long second act where it basically takes too long at everything. Also, there is no Johnny Depp, or any interesting characters or plot really. Mark Rylance is good, but his character is just wimpy, and not charismatic. He is just utterly weak in almost every sense. He is also kinda creepy with his weird foot fetish scenes (you will know when you see them). It finally picks up in the third half which is carried by Robert Pattinson and Johnny Depp. This isn’t because Mark Rylance is bad, but his character on his own is just extremely boring. Everytime Robert or Johnny was on screen, it was very entertaining. I just feel they made Mark’s character way more interesting. Besides seldom clunky moments, the acting is pretty good.
The actual story is kinda interesting, but I feel we have seen it done in a more entertaining fashion. Don’t get me wrong, i'm not saying I wanted more action in this movie, I just felt like more conflict was needed especially in the second act. The themes are very important, and it does a good job of showing it (imperialism is bad). The cinematography was okay, it just didn’t have a lot of “wow” moments. The soundtrack also didn’t strike me much, but was okay. Honestly, if this film didn't have Johnny or Robert, I don’t think I would have liked it nearly as much. In the end it is an okay film, but ultimately suffers from being kinda boring the whole second act. I will say that the Johnny Depp and Robert Pattinson performances are worth it in the end. I would recommend renting this movie despite its shortcomings.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
AramSarMay 21, 2023
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I believe very few actually understood what the movie is about.

On the surface it's an anti-imperealist and anti-tyranny movie about humanism and its helplessness against the syste. And it's meant that way. Rylance's great performance makes the viewer sympathize his humanistic intentions.

However looking closely you start to see how delusional in fact is the Magistrate. He sees only the best in barbarians, neglecting that they are still barbarians. His relation with the girl was key to understanding that. He never realized, until Mai shared with him, that she in fact hated her time with him.

The film doesn't say that what The Empire was doing is good, but ideolizing victims only because they are victims can be misleading too. The Magistrate was looking at everything through "sunglasses". Or may be he actually needed those for the sun not to blind him.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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