If you’ve ever had to sit through an uncomfortable dinner that is rife with tension and awkwardness amongst the guests, you know how desperate the feeling can be of wanting to escape the situation. Barbarians, the British directorial debut from Charles Dorfman, tackles heavy subjects such as class division, toxic aggression, sordid secrets, and oppressive bullying, all over the course of 24 hours that centers on one nightmarish dinner party. 

Idealistic director Adam (Iwan Rheon), and his renowned artist girlfriend, Eva (Catalina Sandino Moreno), are on the cusp of closing in on a deal to purchase their dream home; a sprawling, modern monstrosity located in the British countryside. As the film opens, we get a good dose of expositional background on the house, and the land itself as we are introduced to real estate developer Lucas (Tom Cullen). Lucas has put together an ostentatious and haughty video about the house, which was built on land owned by the same family for generations. It’s also within eyeshot of a mysterious stone pillar called Gaeta, a structure that some believe possesses magical powers, causing many to migrate to it during the Summer Solstice.

Barbarians is broken up into chapters, with the first two focusing on Adam and Eva, and then Lucas and his girlfriend, Chloe (Inès Spiridonov). It’s Adam’s birthday, and to celebrate, he and Eva have invited Lucas and Chloe over to their impending new home for a dinner party. With so much to be happy about, what could possibly go wrong? 

Well, for starters, it doesn’t take long after Lucas and Chloe arrive to get a feel for the mounting tension that develops throughout the rest of the film. It’s during this time that we get a sense for who these characters are, their motivations and, more importantly, their flaws. 

Lucas is the epitome of toxic masculinity: he saunters in and doesn’t waste any time in beginning his onslaught of belittling and aggressive treatment of Adam (who, mind you, is supposed to be his friend). He’s a full-on Alpha Male who makes every attempt to dominate every moment and use it as a chance to showcase his arrogance. Conversely, Adam is the very definition of the meek beta who desperately wants to be more assertive than he is. Both Eva and Chloe play the parts of supportive girlfriends who do their best to reign Adam and Lucas in as the hostility between the two of them rises. 

Over the course of their dinner, secrets between the four begin to surface, further complicating the situation and adding depth to their strained dynamic. Just as the tension reaches a peak, the doorbell rings, and their night takes an unexpected and hellish turn.

The pacing of the last act in particular is deliciously taut and gripping, offering up heaps of gasp-worthy, enthralling moments that will make you not want to take your eyes off the screen. Dorfman has crafted a well put together, tight storyline that relies heavily on the intricacies of the characters and their actions. The true gem of Barbarians, however, is the main cast, who carry the bulk of the film on their shoulders, effortlessly playing off one another and adding intrigue for such a small ensemble. It offers up one heck of a ride during its condensed 89 minute run time that will leave you breathless until the final gut-punching frame. 

8.5 out of 10