Filmmaker Mark Jenkin’s harrowing film, Rose of Nevada, is a disturbing, slow-moving story of a mysterious boat that re-appears in a small village after a 30-year absence and injects life into the village once again…or, wait, maybe something is going on that is much more sinister than meets the eye.
This film stars two great actors: Callum Turner and George MacKay. Turner is known for Eternity and the upcoming sex comedy, One Night Only, while MacKay was in one of 2024’s best, The Beast. It is MacKay who turns in the more stellar performance, though Turner’s work is certainly accomplished in its own right.
MacKay portrays the character, Nick, who finds that taking a spot as a fisherman on the returning boat offers some rewards and some very mystifying questions that may be better left unanswered.
Turner’s Liam doesn’t want to answer such questions and goes with the flow as he takes over the identity of another, with results that will stun the viewer with their often simplistic complexities.
Rose of Nevada features a solid supporting turn from Edward Rowe as the boat’s captain. However, it is MacKay who really digs into his role and makes the movie so thought-provoking. As his character, Nick, finds a way to profit from his unusual scenario, Liam finds other rewards by being deceptive and kind to others, simultaneously.
Rose of Nevada is sometimes created in the vein of the Lars von Trier film, Breaking the Waves, from a technical standpoint.
The director of the new film employs grainy footage to lend authenticity to the odd proceedings and has a similar structure to the von Trier movie despite being forty-five minutes shorter. It seems Jenkin has been inspired by either that film or some other great movies cut from the same type of cloth.
Don’t think Rose of Nevada is a buddy movie despite the fact that the two leads often appear on the boat together.
Their characters branch out from one another, and that creates tension in the plot, but to give more away wouldn’t be fair given that this film’s specialty is unveiling its secrets, which include a very creepy old lady who plays a part in the proceedings that could ultimately give the viewer chills.
Turner, in the less showy role, is outstanding. As his character takes over another man’s family, it’s easy to see how the character Turner plays has taken full advantage of his delicate situation (which I wouldn’t dream of explaining, as this movie thrives on its plot twists).
It is MacKay whose relentless performance shapes the new film and gives it a raw edge that pushes it past the point of no return. MacKay’s character becomes obsessed with learning the mysteries that are unveiled, but also becomes consumed by feelings of inadequacy and guilt. If any actor emerges from this movie with a masterful turn, it’s MacKay who was so brilliant in The Beast too.
This film runs nearly two hours but has a leisurely pace at the start in order to slowly draw the viewer into the scenario it showcases. Rose of Nevada is the type of gripping movie that could have bored you at the outset if the performances weren’t so on-the-mark.
Everything the movie stands for is detailed in its second half, and the actors will keep the viewer intrigued rather than looking away from the screen.
Jenkin’s new picture doesn’t hit the audience over the head with its climax like a Lars von Trier movie typically does. It’s more subtle than that. It sneaks under your skin and into your subconscious. That, essentially, makes it all the more thought-provoking.
There are some scenes where our two leads grapple with their difficult situation, which is so bizarre, it defies explanation from anyone other than its creator.
This film could floor audiences because of its twisted energy, which comes from its actual look, as the picture appears to be shot in the vein of a student film with its strangely effective grainy and choppy footage.
Movies don’t come creepier than this one, and even though the filmmaker doesn’t offer all the answers, the mystery itself makes it all worthwhile.
Rose of Nevada begs the question of which route you’d take if you were in the shoes of either Nick or Liam. Would you be more easy-going with a bizarre opportunity like Turner’s character is, or would you be mystified and search for more answers like MacKay’s? This movie presents both sides of the coin.
This picture does a lot right. There are problems with the pacing at the start, though, and the movie can feel like it needs a big-budget remake at some point in time to hammer away at the themes it hints at more than revels in.
That being said, Rose of Nevada is a summer movie alternative to big-budget blockbusters. It’s an anti-Hollywood film that could lose all its raw edge if it were remade, so maybe that aforementioned remake should be called off. Let this film sit with you after its conclusion, and it will haunt you for days.
Rose of Nevada is now playing in theaters!
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Thomas Duffy
Thomas Duffy is a Critics Choice member who has written film reviews for most of his life, starting at age 11 when he crafted his first full length movie critique on the film, "Roxanne," a Cyrano story featuring Steve Martin. As a result of that review and other movie obsessive writing, Thomas was awarded a creative writing award in sixth grade. Thomas is the proud author of nine books, including two highly acclaimed novels, "To Never Know" and "Social Work." Thomas can be found on X (formerly known as Twitter) or at a New York City movie theater watching the latest hit or independent movie. You can also run into him at Tribeca or at the New York Film Festival.