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he says in the opening narration, words that will come to haunt the rest of the picture.)
The ensuing psychological siege isnt subtle or subdued or symbolic; its surprisingly savage.
Phils cruelty takes your breath away at times.
We think we know who Phil is at first: rough, judgmental, sadistic, an absolute villain.
Even the way he struts across his own ranch has a performative quality that betrays his inner uncertainty.
He seems incapable of putting on airs or trying on identities and postures.
Peter is who he is, and Phil sees that as a direct threat to whohewants to be.
He starts to cry, muttering about how nice it is not to be alone.
And yet theyarealone against this infinite landscape stretching before them.
One is reminded of the existential deserts of movies likeThe Sheltering Skywith their shattering clarity.
