Waiting for the Barbarians

Waiting for the Barbarians follows the story of a magistrate in a distant outpost who gets caught in a moral crisis when he witnesses the cruel treatment of indigenous people by the oppressive Empire he serves. As the magistrate questions his loyalty to the Empire and confronts the barbarity of his fellow man, he finds himself embroiled in a struggle that challenges his beliefs and values. Mark Rylance delivers a captivating performance in this thought-provoking drama that delves into themes of power, colonialism, and the complexities of human nature.

Critics have been divided on the film Waiting for the Barbarians directed by Ciro Guerra. While some appreciate the visually stunning cinematography and Mark Rylance's compelling performance, others find the pacing slow and the storytelling lacking depth. Rotten Tomatoes gave it a rating of 54%, stating that 'it may frustrate viewers looking for a more conventional take on the source material.' Meanwhile, IMDb rated it 5.9/10, with mixed reviews praising the acting but criticizing the film's execution. Metacritic scored it 52/100, indicating mixed or average reviews.