Tom Hiddleston in High-Rise (2015)

I was holding off on watching this, because I could tell this is one of those movies that require your full attention; it is not a flick that you can put on after work to wind down to. So I blocked out a weekend afternoon and watched it; I was not disappointed—not a fun viewing, but I'm glad I've experienced it.

The Film 

Class struggle becomes all too real as a young doctor moves into a modern apartment block in suburban 1975 London. Drugs, drink & debauchery dissolve into murder, mayhem and misogyny in this pseudo-post-apocalyptic breakdown of societal norms.—IMDB Synopsis

First of all, as someone who's working in the field of architecture, the production design on this is phenomenal; with the weighty material choices and oppressive uniformity, the sets really captured the suffocating reality of modernity. I want to label this film 'apocalyptic surrealism' because it is best to interpret the whole thing as a big metaphor—if you tried to view the events as if they were happening in reality, then you would be annoyed by the many decisions made by its characters. No one escape the tower, just like living in our society—we loathe certain aspects of it, but we are also dependent on it for our survival.

If I have to pinpoint a gripe with this film, it would be the lack of sympathy / engagement we the viewer has for the characters. They are either larger-than-life stereotypes (like the reporter that feeds off danger and adrenaline), or helpless, passive observers, which is the case with the protagonist. So while they were put into more and more corrupt and perverted circumstances, we don't feel for them as if we're looking though a protective glass at a zoo. But then, I can totally see argument that this a deliberate choice of storytelling.

The Man

It is nice to see Mr. Hiddleston outside of the Marvel Universe for a change, and he looked particularity good here. With his chiseled jawline, defined nose bridge, and deep eye sockets, the qualities that make him the ideal depiction of a comic book God, are also well-suited here echoing the modern, precision-obsessed Brutalist environment. The man is built for white button-up shirt and slim cut suit, the first word came to mind is 'sharp'. There was even an all-too-brief sun-tanning in the nude scene—where the audience got to admire his lean physique before the film took a dark turn.

Being Loki is good and all, but I wish Mr. Hiddleston will be able to take on more contemporary film roles—and with nude scenes alongside; because that certainly cannot happen within the Marvel Universe, and he sure doesn't seem shy about showing it off!

Oh, and we also have Luke Evans in this film, who I feel has been getting quite a resurgence in the last year or two (and maybe I'm just ignorant, but apparently he sings) I look forward to dive into some of his filmography—let me know if you have recommendation!