Essential Killing is a taut, slow, and contemplative war film; heavy on introspection, light on action, it is a film rewarding for a lot things. Yet, it leaves you with a hollow feeling. Despite all the effort evident on its surface, it fails both as an action film and an
important drama with serious things to say about war, innocence/guilt, and survivial.
Vincent Gallo is Muhammed - the taliban warrior taken as prisoner by the American military and taken to an interrogation camp in rural, icy Poland, where he is waterboarded for information. During a transfer, the van carrying Muhammed careens off the road. In the melee, Muhammed manages to escape into dense woodlands, with soldiers in pursuit.
