This is what violence really is: unpredictable, extreme, sordid, pointless, and tragically relevant. It is interesting to note that the film is hardly gory---more attention is given to violence's physical and psychological aftermath on the victims, which are sadly given little notice by Hollywood. As we can see from previous comments, the victims' powerlessness inspires violence in some, and anger (towards the director) in others. Haneke refuses to give the audience any relief---no cavalry charging against the bad guys, nor payoff for the good. That's why he's so hated by so many. But I hope that some can still see his uncompromising honesty. Haneke is the greatest realistic moralist now working in world cinema.
I have the feeling of having my hair relentlessly pulled back when the violence gets too much to watch. Who ever says that violence is just???
I feel that after this experience, I can no longer talk about violence with the glibness that so many others still try so hard to hang on to.
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