This 93%-Rated Gem Is One of the Quietest Yet Most Terrifying War Movies Ever Made

The Zone of Interest, a historical drama by Jonathan Glazer, was released in 2023 and won two Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film and Best Sound.

Based on Martin Amis' novel, the movie depicts the life of a Nazi family living just beyond the walls of the Auschwitz concentration camp – it's not a typical Holocaust movie but rather an examination of the banality of evil that shocks with its directness.

The director deliberately moves away from stereotypical portrayals of villains, presenting them as ordinary people with dreams and aspirations.

What Is 'The Zone of Interest' About?

Poland, 1940s. The Höss family – Rudolf, the concentration camp commandant, his wife, Hedwig, and their children – are living their best lives in a beautiful, two-story house in a small town.

Hedwig tends the garden and manages the household while the family occasionally goes on picnics. Just beyond their garden wall lies Auschwitz, where screams drift over and thick smoke rises into the air.

The Hösses are largely unperturbed by this: they use the belongings of their victims, dream of vacations, and strive to curry favor with their superiors.

'The Zone of Interest' Is an Immersive Dive Into the Banality of Evil

The greatest strength of The Zone of Interest lies in its ability to reveal the banality of evil – the director doesn't demonize the characters, but rather portrays them as ordinary people. Hedwig and Rudolf have been together since school and share the same goals: raising a family and living comfortably.

Yet, they are also individuals responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people. Grappling with the humanity of individuals who committed such inhumane acts is difficult and unsettling.

Sound design plays a crucial role: while the events at Auschwitz remain unseen, the sounds of screams, gunshots, and the roar of engines create a palpable tension, forcing the viewer out of their comfort zone.

Composer Mica Levi has created an overture that is both aggressive and meditative, preparing the audience for what is to come. Rather than being just another story to view from a distance, The Zone of Interest is an immersive experience that you will live through personally.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'The Zone of Interest'?

• The Zone of Interest has 93% from critics and 79% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 7.3/10.

• On Letterboxd, The Zone of Interest scored 3.9/5.0.

Where to Watch 'The Zone of Interest'?

The Zone of Interest is available to buy or rent on Apple TV.