Movie Review: Thus Spake Zolani

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This film is a powerfully unsettling and visually striking black-and-white experience. It’s bold, disturbing, and leaves a lasting impression.

Clive Will’s Thus Spake Zolani is a black-and-white crime thriller focused on revenge. It shares a similar style with his earlier film, Time Spent with Cats is Never Wasted. The story follows Zolani, who wakes up disoriented and embarks on a brutal quest to kill a famous actor, spurred on by a charismatic TV evangelist.

One of the film’s most striking features is its unique, artistic style. The decision to film in black and white isn’t just a visual choice; it actively plays with contradictions. Surprisingly, it actually lessens the impact of the film’s intense violence. By presenting blood as dark shades instead of bright red, the director creates distance between the audience and the brutality, offering a needed break during the most shocking scenes.

The film shares similar themes with Time Spent with Cats is Never Wasted, blending beautiful imagery with sudden bursts of violence. This creates a deliberately shocking effect, as the director seems to be pushing boundaries and testing how much the audience can handle. The movie doesn’t rely heavily on dialogue, instead telling its story through striking visuals. The main character, Zolani, journeys through the plot like someone in a classic road movie or Western, and his violent actions become increasingly unrestrained and chaotic.

Unlike typical Western stories where a mysterious hero rides in to rescue people, Thus Spake Zolani flips that idea on its head. The story takes place in a chaotic world where the police are ineffective and barely noticed. Zolani faces little to no resistance, easily moving around and acting without punishment. It’s a brutal spree marked by a complete lack of ethics and a disregard for human life.

The film explores a sense of meaninglessness, hinted at by its title, which references Friedrich Nietzsche’s ‘Thus Spoke Zarathustra’. It presents a kind of hell where the main character, believing life has no inherent purpose, desperately seeks any feeling at all – trying to create meaning from nothingness. Though this philosophical idea drives the film, its shocking content is likely to be off-putting for many viewers.

Even fans of challenging and artistic films may find the movie’s violent scenes disturbing. It’s clear the filmmakers intentionally try to shock viewers, using gruesome murders and an abrasive soundtrack – including long stretches of relentless dog barking and a preacher speaking with an electronic voice device. These choices feel more irritating than immersive, contributing to the film’s overall sense of unease. The editing uses a lot of quirky objects and old media to create symbolism, all captured with beautiful cinematography.

“Don’t rain on my parade.”

The film is technically impressive and visually stunning, continuing the quality of the previous installment. It’s a bold and stylish horror experience, fully realized through director Clive Will’s ambitious two-hour vision. Be warned, though – it’s extremely intense and not for everyone; some viewers may find it too disturbing. The violence starts quickly and doesn’t let up, using shocking imagery and graphic scenes. The film holds nothing back, but despite its extreme nature, it has a classic feel thanks to its black and white visuals and haunting atmosphere.

As a film lover, I was really struck by how visually stunning this movie is. It takes the ordinary – things we see every day, even the clothes people wear – and transforms them into something completely unique, especially set against the backdrop of this run-down, crumbling town. What’s interesting is there’s hardly any dialogue, which leaves you constantly wondering why things are happening and who’s behind all the violence. It’s a strange mix – incredibly beautiful to look at, but also filled with disturbing imagery. It creates this really unsettling, almost ‘ugly-beautiful’ feeling that stays with you long after the credits roll.

There’s a unique excitement to a film that doesn’t preach or offer easy answers. Viewers familiar with the three-hour film Time Spent with Cats is Never Wasted will recognize this style of deliberately paced filmmaking, though Will moves things along a bit faster in this case.

Will’s film clearly draws inspiration from classic Westerns and is a tribute to Johnny Depp, suggesting a deeper meaning. However, the movie is often very bleak, making it somewhat difficult to watch. The director avoids typical Hollywood techniques by using mostly unknown actors and minimal close-ups, which creates a sense of realism. The few funny scenes, especially those with the motel manager, offer a much-needed respite from the intense atmosphere.

Despite a small budget, Clive Will has created something truly remarkable. The film is intentionally challenging and is likely to spark strong reactions – some will love it, others won’t. While it would be interesting to see him tackle a more cheerful topic, he’s clearly a director who isn’t afraid to be bold and confrontational. It’s a difficult watch, but it powerfully demonstrates what cinema can achieve.

I have to say, Thus Spake Zolani really pushes things – it’s definitely going to get people talking, and maybe even arguing! It wasn’t always easy to watch, and I wouldn’t be surprised if some people left before the end, but it was an experience I won’t soon forget. The visuals were incredible, and Will clearly has a gift for telling stories, which makes me really excited to see what he does with a more mainstream project. I think it’s important to support artists who are trying new things, but it also makes you wonder if a film can be too out there to really connect with a wider audience.

This film is very specialized and may be better suited for an art gallery than a movie theater. It’s not necessarily enjoyable, but it’s powerfully moving and deserves recognition for its stark and unforgettable imagery. Like its predecessor, it’s both mysterious and deeply affecting, open to interpretation as either a political commentary or a beautiful work of art.

The bottom line: Visceral

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2026-02-26 16:43