In a performance that is already generating significant awards buzz, Ralph Fiennes delivers what may be one of the most nuanced and powerful portrayals of his distinguished career in Oliver Hermanus's unsettling new drama, The Choral.
A Masterclass in Subtlety
Fiennes, an actor renowned for his commanding presence, here does something remarkably different. He portrays John Slipton, a man hollowed out by a profound and private grief. This is not a performance of grand, theatrical gestures, but one of exquisite minimalism. Slipton is a man whose trauma has rendered him almost ghost-like, moving through his life with a quiet, devastating stillness.
Fiennes communicates a universe of pain through the slightest flicker in his eyes, a barely perceptible tension in his jaw, or the weary slope of his shoulders. It is a masterclass in internalised acting, proving that the most deafening silences often speak the loudest.
A Fractured Narrative of Memory and Truth
The film, adapted from the novel by William Brodrick, unfolds with a deliberate and haunting pace. Slipton, a former monk turned teacher, is confronted by a figure from his distant past—a man he helped send to prison decades earlier. This encounter shatters the fragile peace Slipton has built and forces him to re-examine the very foundations of a traumatic event.
Director Oliver Hermanus masterfully constructs a narrative that is as elusive and fragmented as memory itself. The audience is plunged into Slipton's psychological turmoil, where the line between truth, perception, and guilt becomes dangerously blurred. The film asks uncomfortable but essential questions: Can we ever truly know what happened? And how does the stories we tell ourselves shape our reality?
More Than a One-Man Show
While Fiennes is the undeniable anchor, the supporting cast provides a formidable foundation. Indira Varma is compelling as a probing journalist whose investigation acts as the catalyst for Slipton's unravelling. The cinematography, too, is a character in its own right, painting a picture of Britain that is both starkly beautiful and deeply melancholic, mirroring the protagonist's internal landscape.
A Must-See Cinematic Achievement
The Choral is not an easy watch. It is a challenging, slow-burning meditation on trauma, accountability, and the search for redemption. It demands patience and reflection from its audience. But for those willing to sit with its discomfort, the reward is immense.
This is a profound piece of British filmmaking, elevated by a career-defining performance from one of the nation's finest actors. Ralph Fiennes doesn't just play John Slipton; he disappears into his soul, leaving audiences with a portrayal that will resonate long after the credits roll.
