New Movies: The Damned (2024) by Roberto Minervini: An Existential Journey Through the American Civil War's Margins

Roberto Minervini's "The Damned" is a compelling and unique take on the American Civil War, blending documentary-like intimacy with a fictional narrative. The film, which premiered at Cannes 2024, follows a small company of volunteer Union soldiers dispatched to the vast, snow-covered Western territories in 1862. Far from the grand battles, these men grapple with the mundane realities of war, the harsh environment, and profound existential questions about their mission, faith, masculinity, and the meaning of their commitment. Minervini, known for his previous docu-fiction works exploring American rural life, brings a raw, immersive sensibility to this historical period, using non-professional actors whose improvised dialogues lend the film a striking authenticity.

Summary Short

Roberto Minervini's "The Damned" (2024) is a historical drama set in the winter of 1862 during the American Civil War. It follows a company of volunteer Union soldiers patrolling the uncharted Western territories. Far from the front lines, they confront the harsh wilderness, their dwindling purpose, and deeply personal questions about war, faith, and existence, all captured with Minervini's signature blend of documentary realism and fictional narrative.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt29296048/

Link Review: https://variety.com/2024/film/reviews/the-damned-review-1236001620/

About movie: https://filmsdulosange.com/en/film/the-damned/

Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/fr/film/the-damned-2024 (France), https://www.justwatch.com/it/film/the-damned-2024 (Italy)

Detailed Summary

"The Damned" marks Roberto Minervini's highly anticipated return to feature filmmaking and his first foray into a fully narrative period piece, though it retains the observational, immersive qualities of his previous docu-fiction works like Stop the Pounding Heart and The Other Side. Set in the desolate Western territories during the brutal winter of 1862, amidst the American Civil War, the film focuses on a small, multi-generational company of volunteer Union soldiers. These are not hardened, battle-scarred veterans, but rather individuals of varying backgrounds and motivations, dispatched by the U.S. Army on a vague mission to patrol and secure the uncharted borderlands.

The film largely eschews conventional war movie tropes, forgoing grand battles or clear-cut narratives of heroism. Instead, Minervini immerses the audience in the daily existence of these soldiers: long stretches of walking, setting up camps, struggling with the bitter cold, and engaging in profound, often improvised conversations. Their initial patriotic fervor and clear sense of duty gradually erode as they face the unforgiving elements and the psychological toll of their isolated, seemingly aimless mission. The men discuss their families, their lives before the war, their growing doubts about the conflict itself, and grapple with questions of faith, masculinity, and the moral compromises inherent in war.

A pivotal, chaotic, and sudden shootout serves as the film's only significant violent confrontation, but it's depicted not as a glorious battle, but as a confusing, brutal encounter with an unseen enemy. This event claims some of their men, leaving the survivors further steeped in disillusionment and despair. The vast, often beautiful landscapes of Montana serve as a stark backdrop to their internal struggles, emphasizing their marginal positions within a vast historical conflict.

Minervini's approach is characterized by his use of non-professional actors, many of whom are local Montanans, and a method where the cast lived on the meticulously built set for two months, allowing their dialogues and thoughts to emerge organically. This technique blurs the lines between re-enactment and contemporary reflection, making the film feel both historically distant and unnervingly current in its exploration of human agency, nation-building, and the absurdity of conflict. The film's muted glow, intimate camerawork by Carlos Alfonso Corral, and sparse score contribute to an atmosphere of existential dread and contemplative melancholy.

Plot Summary

• Setting the Scene: Winter 1862, during the American Civil War. A volunteer company of Union soldiers is sent by the U.S. Army to patrol the uncharted Western territories.

• The Journey: The film follows their arduous journey through harsh, snow-covered landscapes, focusing on their daily routines: marching, setting up camp, enduring the cold, and foraging for resources.

• Existential Conversations: The soldiers, mostly non-professional actors, engage in extended, seemingly improvised discussions about their reasons for volunteering, their families, God, the nature of good and evil, masculinity, and the meaning of the war.

• The Encounter: A sudden, chaotic, and brutal firefight with an unseen enemy occurs, disrupting their aimless patrolling and resulting in casualties.

• Deterioration of Purpose: After the battle, the remaining soldiers descend further into disillusionment. Their initial motivations fade, and they are left questioning their purpose, grappling with the physical and psychological toll of their isolated existence.

• Themes of War's Absurdity: The film portrays war not as a series of grand events, but as a tedious, disorienting, and profoundly intimate journey that strips away grand narratives, leaving only individual struggles and a pervasive sense of an aimless existence.

• Open-ended Conclusion: The narrative eschews a conventional resolution, instead leaving the audience with a lingering sense of the soldiers' enduring uncertainty and the futility of their mission.

Director's Vision

Roberto Minervini's directorial vision for "The Damned" is deeply rooted in his established artistic methodology and philosophical concerns:

• Blurring Fiction and Documentary: Minervini's signature approach continues, where the lines between narrative and observational filmmaking are intentionally blurred. He aims for an "ethical freedom" in storytelling, allowing for digressions from factual truths while maintaining a deeply felt sense of reality. The non-professional actors, living on set, contribute to this authenticity.

• Deconstructing the War Genre: He explicitly avoids the conventions of traditional war films or Westerns, stripping conflict down to its essence: the physical and psychological strain on individuals, the long stretches of waiting, and the intimate reflections on life, death, and purpose. It's an "anti-spaghetti western," focusing on the prosaic rather than the grandiose.

• Existential and Philosophical Inquiry: The film is less about historical events and more about the "existential condition" of being at war. Minervini explores how individuals grapple with faith, morality, masculinity, and the meaning of sacrifice when faced with profound uncertainty and the absurdity of conflict.

• Immersive Atmosphere: He aims to create an "intoxicating and existentially real war movie" by meticulously crafting the environment (the harsh Montana winter, the period-accurate set) and employing controlled camerawork to capture the melancholy, alienation, and physical hardship.

• Counter-History of the United States: As an Italian director who has extensively explored the American South, Minervini views this film as part of his ongoing project to offer a "counter-history of the United States," examining the roots of contemporary social and political divisions through historical moments. He questioned the "righteousness" often attributed to the Union cause, exploring the varied, less-than-idealistic motivations of individual soldiers.

• Emphasis on Human Vulnerability: He focuses on the "vulnerabilities and existential angst" of the men, depicting war as a profoundly intimate journey that tests their inner fortitude and questions their initial beliefs.

Themes

"The Damned" explores several profound and interconnected themes:

• The Absurdity and Disorientation of War: Rather than heroics, the film emphasizes the aimlessness, boredom, and psychological toll of conflict, showing how patriotic fervor can devolve into confusion and despair.

• Existentialism and the Search for Meaning: The soldiers' constant questioning of their mission, their faith, and their lives speaks to a fundamental human need for purpose, even in the face of chaos and death.

• Masculinity and Vulnerability: The film delves into how traditional notions of manhood, duty, and honor are tested and crumble under the harsh realities of war, revealing the emotional and spiritual fragility beneath the soldier's veneer.

• Nature and Isolation: The vast, unforgiving Western landscape serves as a character in itself, emphasizing the men's isolation, their smallness in the face of monumental events, and the indifferent brutality of nature.

• Faith and Morality: Discussions about God, sin, and righteousness are central, as the soldiers grapple with the moral ambiguities of killing and survival, questioning their beliefs in a time of intense suffering.

• The Human Cost of Conflict: Beyond battle scenes, the film focuses on the insidious, silent attrition of hope, faith, and purpose that affects those at the margins of war.

• Historical Deconstruction: Minervini uses the Civil War setting to deconstruct grand historical narratives, focusing instead on the individual, often contradictory, experiences and motivations that shape history from the ground up.

Key Success Factors

"The Damned" has achieved critical success due to several factors:

• Cannes Recognition: Winning Best Director in Un Certain Regard at Cannes immediately propelled the film into the international spotlight and established its critical pedigree.

• Roberto Minervini's Distinctive Style: His unique blend of documentary realism and narrative, coupled with his philosophical depth, sets him apart as an auteur, attracting festival programmers and cinephiles.

• Immersive Storytelling: The film's slow, contemplative pace and raw, authentic performances create a deeply immersive experience that draws viewers into the soldiers' psychological journeys.

• Timely Resonance: Despite its 19th-century setting, its themes of disillusionment, the meaning of conflict, and the human cost of war resonate powerfully with contemporary global anxieties.

• Exceptional Cinematography: Carlos Alfonso Corral's work, capturing the bleak beauty of the Montana landscape and the intimate struggles of the soldiers, is widely praised for contributing to the film's haunting atmosphere.

• Strong International Sales: Les Films du Losange handling world sales, coupled with an Italian-American-Belgian co-production, ensured wide international exposure and distribution deals.

Awards and Nominations

"The Damned" has received significant accolades:

• Cannes Film Festival 2024:

  • Winner: Un Certain Regard – Best Director (Roberto Minervini)

  • Official Selection: Un Certain Regard

• Mediterrane Film Festival:

  • Winner: Best Director

• Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists:

  • Winner: (Specific award not detailed, but noted as a win)

• New York Film Festival 2024: Main Slate Selection

• Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2024: Wavelengths Section Selection

• Busan International Film Festival 2024: World Cinema Selection

• Tokyo FilmEx 2024: Special Screenings Selection

• Melbourne International Film Festival 2024: Feature Selection

• Viennale 2024: Features Selection

• And numerous other international festival selections, including Hamburg, Thessaloniki, Jihlava, Marrakech, MAMI Mumbai, FICX Gijón, Hong Kong, and Istanbul.

Critics Reception

"The Damned" has garnered generally favorable reviews, with a Metascore of 69 based on 8 critic reviews (as of June 2025). Critics laud its meditative quality, unique approach to the war genre, and visual artistry, while some note its deliberate pacing and lack of conventional narrative.

• Praise:

  • "Wistful and laconic study of the minutiae of survival... wobbles tantalizingly on a permeable line between narrative and documentary." - Jeannette Catsoulis, The New York Times

  • "A beautiful, plotless meditation on the grit, light, violence, and landscapes of American ennui." - Michael Atkinson, The Village Voice

  • "Quietly intoxicating and existentially real war movie... If it were possible to send a camera crew back into the past to capture such an event, the result would be something close to what Minervini delivers." - Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter

  • "Ambitious counter-history of the United States." - Carlo Valeri, Sentieri Selvaggi

  • "A work that with great brilliance deals with war and its absurdity." - Elisa Battistini, Quinlan

  • Praised for its stunning scenery, impeccable camerawork, and sincere performances from its non-professional cast.

• Mixed/Criticism:

  • Some found the deliberate, languid pace to be an "endurance test" for impatient viewers, especially in the first half-hour.

  • A few critics felt the improvised dialogue, while authentic, could sometimes feel anachronistic or "off-putting," disrupting the realism.

  • The "resolute lack of dramatic tension" was noted, though often seen as a deliberate artistic choice.

  • One review described it as "a bit lost," reflecting the film's existential ambiguity.

Overall, critics recognize "The Damned" as a significant and distinctive work that challenges expectations of the war genre, offering a contemplative and deeply human perspective on conflict.

Reviews (Highlights from various sources)

• "Roberto Minervini's intimate and impressionistic drama... a wistful and laconic study of the minutiae of survival." - The New York Times

• "Minervini upends both the historical war genre and the western with a quiet and spare approach, at once philosophical and radically humane." - TIFF

• "A haunting quality to this handsomely filmed account of the slow attrition of faith, hope and purpose." - Wendy Ide, Screen Daily

• "An intimate existential journey with a handful of non-professional actors... both beautiful and mediative approach on the Civil War." - IONCINEMA.com

• "A contemplation of what these soldiers must have been feeling... The Damned is not a film about war or conflict in a simplistic sense." - Loud And Clear Reviews

• "Minervini's approach to the subject brings a freshness to proceedings as the story unfolds in an unexpected manner." - Next Best Picture

Box Office

As an independent, art-house film with a focus on festival presence and critical acclaim, "The Damned" is not designed for wide commercial box office success. Its financial performance is typical for its genre, prioritizing artistic impact and targeted distribution.

• Gross US & Canada: $82,939 (as of early June 2025, from limited release)

• Opening Weekend US & Canada: $18,314 (April 27, 2025)

• Gross Worldwide: $91,816 (as of early June 2025)

These figures indicate a successful limited theatrical run for a film of this nature, supported by its strong critical reviews and festival buzz.

Production Summary

"The Damned" is an Italian-American-Belgian co-production, reflecting Minervini's international background and network.

Production Companies

• Okta Film (Italy)

• Pulpa Film (Italy)

• RAI Cinema (Italy)

• Michigan Films (Belgium)

• VOO/BeTV (Belgium)

• Shelter Prod

• Icki Eneo Arlo (Robert Pattinson's company)

• Stregonia

• Moonduckling Films

Sales Companies

• Les Films du Losange (France): Handles world sales outside of specific distributor territories.

Distribution Companies

• Lucky Red (Italy)

• Grasshopper Film (North America - theatrical and digital, with MUBI handling streaming post-theatrical).

• Les Films du Losange (France)

• Other national distributors based on sales agreements.

Release date on streaming

"The Damned" had its limited US theatrical release in April 2025. Given that Grasshopper Film is distributing it in North America, it is expected to be available on streaming platforms and VOD in the summer or fall of 2025, following its theatrical window. Its exact streaming platform is not confirmed for all regions, but it will likely be available for rental/purchase across major digital storefronts.

Theatrical Release

• World Premiere: May 16, 2024, at the Cannes Film Festival (Un Certain Regard section).

• US Theatrical Release: April 25, 2025 (limited release by Grasshopper Film).

• Italian Theatrical Release: May 16, 2024 (by Lucky Red).

• Other Festival Screenings (2024-2025): New York Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, Busan International Film Festival, Tokyo FilmEx, Melbourne International Film Festival, Viennale, Istanbul Film Festival, Hong Kong International Film Festival, and many more.

Why to recommend this movie

• For Fans of Auteur Cinema: If you appreciate directors with a strong, distinctive artistic vision and a willingness to challenge traditional narrative conventions, "The Damned" is a must-see.

• Unique Take on War: It's an essential watch for those tired of conventional war movies and seeking a deeply contemplative, philosophical, and character-driven exploration of conflict's psychological toll.

• Immersive Experience: The film's blend of documentary realism and narrative, coupled with its stunning cinematography of the American wilderness, creates a truly immersive and atmospheric viewing experience.

• Thought-Provoking Themes: It delves into profound questions about human nature, faith, purpose, and the absurdity of violence, offering much to ponder long after viewing.

• Award-Winning Direction: Roberto Minervini's Best Director win at Cannes underscores the film's artistic merit and importance.

Why to Watch Movie

• If You Are Familiar with Roberto Minervini's Work: "The Damned" is a natural progression of his unique docu-fiction style into a historical setting, offering continuity for his existing admirers.

• If You Seek Philosophical Depth in Cinema: If you prefer films that prioritize existential inquiry and character introspection over plot-heavy action, this film will resonate.

• For a Raw and Authentic Feel: Minervini's use of non-professional actors and immersive filming techniques creates a palpable sense of realism that is rare in period dramas.

• If You Appreciate Stunning Cinematography: The vast, desolate landscapes of Montana are beautifully captured, serving as a powerful backdrop to the human drama.

• To Challenge Your Perceptions of History: The film offers a nuanced, ground-level perspective on the Civil War, moving beyond simplistic narratives of good versus evil.

What Movie Trend film is following

"The Damned" is a prime example of the "Hybrid Cinema" or "Docu-Fiction" trend, specifically applying it to a historical context.

• Definition of the Trend: This trend involves films that intentionally blur the lines between documentary and narrative filmmaking, often employing real people playing fictionalized versions of themselves, non-professional actors, improvised dialogue, and observational camera work within a scripted framework. The aim is to achieve a heightened sense of realism and explore deeper truths about human experience or social phenomena.

• How "The Damned" Fits: Minervini is a pioneer of this style. "The Damned" employs non-professional actors who lived in character, and their dialogues were often improvised, drawing from their own reflections on the themes. This methodology, combined with an observational camera, imbues a historical narrative with the raw, intimate feel of a documentary, making it a powerful example of this hybrid approach applied to a period drama.

What Big Social Trend is following

The film implicitly engages with the social trend of "Existential Disillusionment and The Quest for Meaning in a Fractured World."

• Definition of the Trend: This trend reflects a contemporary societal unease characterized by a questioning of grand narratives, institutions, and traditional sources of meaning (like patriotism or collective purpose). In an increasingly polarized and uncertain world, individuals are often left grappling with a sense of aimlessness, moral ambiguity, and a search for personal truth and connection amidst broader societal upheaval.

• How "The Damned" Connects:

  • Loss of Purpose: The soldiers' journey from initial volunteerism to profound questioning of their mission and the war's meaning directly mirrors this disillusionment.

  • Moral Ambiguity: The film doesn't offer easy answers or clear heroes/villains, reflecting a nuanced, less black-and-white view of historical and contemporary conflicts.

  • Individual Struggle within Mass Events: By focusing on the intimate experiences of a few men at the margins of a vast war, the film highlights how grand historical events impact individual psyches, forcing them to confront personal truths.

  • Questioning Institutions: The soldiers' debates about country, faith, and duty reflect a broader societal trend of scrutinizing and re-evaluating established authorities and beliefs.

Final Verdict

"The Damned" is a powerful and essential cinematic experience that reaffirms Roberto Minervini as a significant voice in contemporary world cinema. It's not a typical war movie; instead, it's a deeply introspective, visually stunning, and quietly devastating exploration of the human spirit grappling with the absurdity of conflict and the relentless search for meaning. Its blend of documentary realism and historical narrative creates an incredibly immersive atmosphere, drawing the audience into the soldiers' slow descent into disillusionment. While its deliberate pace may not appeal to all, those willing to surrender to its unique rhythm will find a film that is both artful and profoundly resonant. "The Damned" is a testament to Minervini's masterful ability to illuminate universal truths through intimate, unflinching portrayals of human experience.

Recommendations for filmmakers

• Embrace Hybrid Approaches: Don't shy away from blending documentary techniques with narrative storytelling. This can lead to unique forms of realism and deeper emotional impact.

• Focus on Intimate Details: Even when tackling grand historical subjects, grounding the narrative in the minute, everyday experiences and internal struggles of individuals can create a more profound and relatable film than sweeping battle scenes.

• Trust Your Actors (Especially Non-Professionals): Allowing space for improvisation and drawing from the lived experiences and personalities of your cast can bring an invaluable layer of authenticity to the performances and dialogue.

• Leverage Environment as Character: Use the natural landscape and setting to amplify themes and emotional states, creating a powerful backdrop that complements the human drama.

• Prioritize Philosophical Depth: Don't be afraid to delve into complex existential questions. Cinema can be a powerful medium for exploring the human condition beyond mere plot progression.

Recommendations for Movie Industry

• Continue Supporting Auteur Cinema: Films like "The Damned" demonstrate the vital importance of investing in directors with singular artistic visions, even if their work falls outside traditional commercial molds. These films enrich the cinematic landscape and often find success on the festival circuit.

• Champion Nuanced Historical Narratives: Encourage and finance films that offer fresh, complex perspectives on historical events, moving beyond simplistic heroic narratives to explore the human cost and the diverse experiences of those involved.

• Recognize the Value of Non-Traditional Casting: Embrace the use of non-professional actors or unconventional casting choices when they serve the artistic vision, as they can bring a unique authenticity and texture to a film.

• Facilitate International Co-Productions: Continue to foster collaborative financing and production models across countries, which allow ambitious, art-house projects to secure the necessary resources and reach wider global audiences.

Final Conclusions

"The Damned" stands as a testament to Roberto Minervini's unparalleled vision and his commitment to a cinema that is both deeply intimate and profoundly expansive. By eschewing conventional war movie tropes, he has crafted a film that feels less like a historical re-enactment and more like a raw, almost spiritual journey into the heart of human experience under duress. Its Cannes Best Director win is a well-deserved recognition of a filmmaker who continuously pushes the boundaries of storytelling, blurring the lines between fiction and reality to expose deeper truths.

The film's strength lies in its unflinching honesty: it portrays war not as a glorious spectacle, but as a grueling test of faith, masculinity, and the very meaning of existence. The stunning cinematography and the raw, unvarnished performances from its non-professional cast combine to create an atmosphere of haunting beauty and existential dread. "The Damned" is a vital and resonant work that offers a timely reflection on disillusionment and the search for purpose in a fractured world, a message that echoes powerfully across centuries. It solidifies Minervini's position as a singular voice in contemporary cinema, delivering a film that is destined to be studied and admired for its artistry and profound human insight.