Waiting for the Barbarians

Name: Waiting for the Barbarians
Genre: Drama
Released: August 7, 2020
Duration: 112 min
Rating: 52
Cast: Bill Milner, David Dencik, Gana Bayarsaikhan, Greta Scacchi, Gursed Dalkhsuren

2020

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 19 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 34 Ratings

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6.0	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 34 Ratings

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Waiting For The Barbarians

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Movie Details & Credits

Samuel Goldwyn Films | Release Date (Streaming): August 7, 2020 | Not Rated

Starring: Bill Milner, David Dencik, Gana Bayarsaikhan, Greta Scacchi, Gursed Dalkhsuren, Harry Melling, Johnny Depp, Mark Rylance, Robert Pattinson, Sam Reid

Summary: The Magistrate (Mark Rylance) of an isolated frontier settlement on the border of an unnamed empire looks forward to an easy retirement until the arrival of Colonel Joll (Johnny Depp), whose task it is to report on the activities of the ‘barbarians’ and on the security situation on the border. Joll conducts a series of ruthlessThe Magistrate (Mark Rylance) of an isolated frontier settlement on the border of an unnamed empire looks forward to an easy retirement until the arrival of Colonel Joll (Johnny Depp), whose task it is to report on the activities of the ‘barbarians’ and on the security situation on the border. Joll conducts a series of ruthless interrogations, which leads the Magistrate to question his loyalty to the empire.

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Director: Ciro Guerra

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 112 min

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Critic Reviews

The Playlist Luke Hicks

Sep 12, 2019

The metaphors are a bit too numerous and on the nose at times, but Rylance’s unbelievable performance overshadows the minor downfalls. Read full review

Pat Brown

Aug 3, 2020

Ciro Guerra never quite finds an imagistic equivalent to the novel’s apocalyptic mood and subtly hallucinogenic atmosphere. Read full review

Jocelyn Noveck

Aug 6, 2020

A novel like Coetzee’s invites readers to fill in the blank spaces. On a screen, we tend to crave more specificity. The result, coupled with a too-languorous pace, is a film that’s intermittently engrossing and always interesting, but less potent than it could have been. Read full review

Boyd van Hoeij

Sep 12, 2019

The critique of those in power and their need to put down others — preferably foreign or different-looking people — in order to stay on top is as relevant in 2019 as it was in 1980, when the novel was first published. But like its noncommittal production design, which combines various North African, Middle Eastern and Asian influences for the locals and locales, the critique itself remains finally quite dull and dispersed because it's so broad and unspecific. Read full review

Richard Roeper

Aug 13, 2020

The overwrought score and the Orwellian themes announce “Barbarians” as a prestige project brimming with Big Ideas, but it’s ultimately stilted and didactic, and more than a bit nasty. Read full review

Sara Stewart

Aug 6, 2020

If you’re into seeing Johnny Depp and Robert Pattinson play truly despicable government officials, have I got a movie for you! Read full review

Enrique Acosta

Sep 8, 2020

Waiting for the Barbarians isn’t a terrible film, it just never delivers on any of its promises. Read full review

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User Reviews

saltdiscus

Aug 13, 2020

It isnt boring movie but if you like torture then you will enjoy this movie.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

bertobellamy

Aug 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 — delivers another commentary on imperialism. This is'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

netflic

Jan 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", remarks the emperor. - "You do now", says theThere 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

Kraken4

Aug 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”. There is no date or location given, and not even aWaiting 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

Ralfbergs

Apr 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 memorable movie. Still good though and shows how torture isThis 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

JLuis_001

Sep 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's stealing the land of others. So if you're trying toGood 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

Bitash

Dec 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 no plot, jus slow and boring. I disliked the wimpyI 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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