Intense, Gripping, and Extremely Disturbing

Rating: 7/10 (8 March 2014)

I have a saying when things get too disturbing: "I don't want that on my hard drive" (meaning that for me, truly disturbing scenes will etch themselves in my mind forever). If you're like me, then run, screaming, in the opposite direction from wherever this movie is showing. Once I started, however, I simply couldn't tear myself away. It's that kind of movie, supremely intriguing and gripping till the last second. These actors must have gone through some true mental anguish (particularly Hugh Jackman and Paul Dano). The darkest depths of human emotions are explored as a worst-case "what would you do if it were your family" scenario comes to life. For me, it also called to mind studies on human behavior, in which groups or mobs of humans are proved to be capable of things that go against--in theory--their beliefs or values. But again...be warned...this movie will forever be "on your hard drive."