Brutal, haunting film

Rating: 9/10 (25 February 2018)

I was riveted by this film from beginning to end.
I won't quibble too much with some of the negative reviews here, but I think some of the reviewers missed the point. As a society, we are caught in a trap of violence, which the writer, Taylor Sheridan explores in his three recent films. We know the 'drug wars' are brutal...but we don't really understand just how brutal it is. To me, that's the reason for the charnel house opening scene, to really try and grasp how inhuman people have become.
Emily Blunt's character is obviously there as the point of view of the audience, 'the good cop', who believes in the rule of law, who knows that there is almost unimaginable violence in the world--but hasn't really accepted it yet.
Her having to face that brutality, and to turn away from her foundational belief in that rule of law is her character arc, and it's superbly done.
Everything about the film was excellent. Brolin and Del Toro were very compelling and I'm excited to see more of their story this summer. The cinematography was gorgeous, the raw landscape and towering skies are an integral part of the story. I thought the music great as well.
I've watched the film several times now, and have been impressed each time.
Highly recommended.