High-Rise (2015) Watch Online Free
Life for the residents of a tower block begins to run out of control.
High-Rise (2015), directed by Ben Wheatley, is a British dystopian thriller adapted from J. G. Ballard’s 1975 novel. Set in a luxurious high-rise apartment building in 1975, the film follows Dr. Robert Laing (Tom Hiddleston), a newly arrived resident who becomes entangled in the building’s escalating social and economic turmoil. The structure, designed to be a self-contained community, begins to deteriorate as its inhabitants’ class divisions and inherent human nature surface, leading to chaos and violence.
The narrative unfolds through Laing’s perspective, offering a detached yet immersive view of the building’s descent into anarchy. As the building’s infrastructure fails, residents form factions based on floor levels, leading to conflicts and a breakdown of societal norms. The film’s visual style is marked by its retro-futuristic aesthetic, with vibrant colors and meticulously designed sets that reflect the era’s architectural optimism and subsequent decay.
The film’s pacing is deliberate, allowing the tension to build gradually as the residents’ descent into barbarism becomes inevitable. The use of music, particularly the 1970s-era soundtrack, complements the film’s atmosphere, enhancing its surreal and unsettling tone. The performances, especially by Hiddleston and Jeremy Irons (who plays the building’s architect, Royal), are compelling, capturing the complex dynamics of their characters.
Class Struggle and Social Hierarchy
High-Rise explores the fragility of social structures and the ease with which they can collapse under pressure. The building’s design, intended to foster a harmonious community, instead amplifies class divisions, leading to conflict and violence. This theme reflects broader societal concerns about inequality and the human propensity for division.
Human Nature and Regression
The film delves into the darker aspects of human nature, illustrating how individuals revert to primal instincts when societal norms disintegrate. As the building’s residents descend into chaos, their behavior becomes increasingly savage, highlighting the tenuousness of civilization.
Isolation and Alienation
Despite the high-rise’s design as a self-contained community, the film portrays a profound sense of isolation among its residents. The physical separation of floors and the psychological barriers between classes lead to alienation, emphasizing the human need for connection and the consequences of its absence.
Architectural Critique
The building itself serves as a character, symbolizing modernist architectural ideals and their potential flaws. Its design, meant to be utopian, becomes a dystopian nightmare, reflecting the disillusionment with architectural and societal utopias.
Surrealism and Absurdity
The film employs surreal and absurd elements to critique societal norms and expectations. The exaggerated behaviors and events within the building serve as a satirical commentary on the absurdities of modern life and the human condition.
Upon its release, High-Rise received mixed reviews from critics. While some praised its bold visual style and thematic depth, others criticized its pacing and narrative coherence. The film has since gained a cult following, appreciated for its unique approach to dystopian storytelling and its critique of societal structures. Its impact is evident in discussions about its relevance to contemporary issues of class division and societal decay.
After viewing High-Rise, you may experience a sense of unease and contemplation. The film’s portrayal of class divisions and societal breakdown can leave you questioning the stability of modern life and the fragility of social structures. You may feel disturbed by the intense violence and the degradation of human behavior, but also fascinated by the film’s sharp critique of consumerism, classism, and the failures of utopian ideals.
The surreal, almost dreamlike quality of the narrative will likely linger in your mind, leaving you with a sense of disorientation and discomfort. The film’s chaotic and violent progression might make you feel unsettled, but also intrigued by its exploration of human nature and societal collapse.
You might also feel a sense of dark satisfaction as you witness the unraveling of the building’s inhabitants, but it is unlikely to be a comforting or hopeful feeling. Instead, the film may provoke a deeper reflection on the absurdity of modern life and the vulnerability of human civilization.
Overall, High-Rise will evoke mixed emotions: unease, fascination, and perhaps even a touch of nihilism. The unsettling conclusion, combined with its themes of alienation and regression, will likely leave you with a lingering sense of unease and introspection, challenging your views on social order and human behavior.
