Direction: Roberto Minervini
Country: USA / Italy / Belgium
Roberto Minervini’s The Damned is a stark and minimalist war drama that eschews grandiose battle scenes in favor of an intimate focus on individuals caught in the relentless grip of the American Civil War. Set during the brutal winter of 1862, the film follows a group of Union volunteers tasked with patrolling the uncharted Western Territories. The soldiers must navigate treacherous, snow-covered landscapes and endure the punishing cold, all while grappling with existential reflections on faith, patriotism, family, and survival.
Even if the film offers some intriguing meditations on its weighty themes, the narrative feels overly pared down, delivering little in the way of tension or excitement. Minervini’s restrained direction keeps viewers at a frustrating emotional distance, making it difficult to connect with or fully invest in the characters. The most striking thing about The Damned is how ordinary it is, feeling like a moody vignette rather than a fully realized story. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with sufficient layers to suss out.
