Nocturama

"Both allusions perfectly echo this seventh feature by Bonello, also a musician, who composed the heady soundtrack for his film. To extend the musical metaphor, “Nocturama” is divided in two movements with very distinct tempos and an intermission in the middle."

"Bonello doesn't seem to care about ideology or psychology. Instead, he focuses primarily on what his characters are feeling and thinking on the day that they bomb and/or set fire to multiple targets around Paris, and then hole up over night in a nearby mall."

"With its scaled-down look and visions of modern-day malaise, Nocturama is much closer to On War, an artsy cri de coeur that Bonello made in 2008, although it takes that film’s ideas of collective dystopia and puts them into practice here in disturbing ways."

"It’s hard to look away — Bonello’s camera tracks behind each of the kids as they go about their shady business, emulating “Elephant” as the tactic conjures the same sickening momentum that made Gus Van Sant’s film about homicidal youths so vague and disquieting."

"It takes a while to get into the rhythm of the film’s second half, but Bonello goes to town using the different sections of the mall as an enormous, garishly decorated soundstage."

"Bonello, serene to a fault, pursues his characters—even as they plant explosives or brandish guns—with the prowling aplomb of a cat."