Resurrection
Resurrection is one of the most incredible films I've seen, and it surprised me in ways I could never have expected. I kept hearing that a sleeper hit from 2025 before the year ended, but in the grand scheme of things, no one is talking about this movie. The only thing I can think of is that, unfortunately, no one has seen or heard of Resurrection.
After I finished the film, I was inspired to make a list of films that need another watch to appreciate fully, or those that deserve a second chance from me. I was floored from beginning to end after a single viewing, but there's so much more to get out of one sitting, and this is basically screaming to be seen again and again. And I would happily do so. Here's the *list* if you're interested.
I've been watching a lot of Marvel movies recently. I enjoy quite a few of them, but they do make me long for the finer films that are out there. Even Endgame, which I finished a few days ago, and a movie that I consider to be one of the best in the MCU, can't really compare to something like this. However, it's also a bit strange to say that this boosts my appreciation for movies like that, especially watching all of them as they came out, and the memories and theater-going experiences that I had because of them.
That's because Resurrection is a true love letter to cinema as a whole. Bi Gan takes the audience on a stroll through various decades in film history, showcasing each decade as a segment in this six-part epic. The Silent Era in the beginning, The Golden Age following it, New Wave, and then the present are all on display. They all blend, forming an abstractly structured picture with actors returning in different roles throughout each fragment.
Bi Gan does more than that, though. He proves that film can be a way to preserve memories and remind people to be imaginative, not forget what makes us human. Each chapter focuses on a different sense: sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch, and even the mind, showing how each one serves a purpose. Each is used to show longing or cherishment for something.
I haven't even gotten to the technical aspects yet, which are masterful in every way. Basically, every 10 minutes, I was saying "wow" under my breath. Not only does Bi Gan know how to nail the visual style of these dream sequences, but he also uses creative techniques that I've never seen before. Some of them I still don't fully understand, others make me wonder why they've never been used in a previous film since they're so genius. The incredible use of color that's tied to emotion is very Kar-wai, and I loved it. The rich blues and vibrant reds pop off the screen. The sound design also hit me right away. There are interesting uses where half of the audio disappears after a pivotal moment to represent a loss in hearing.
It's beautiful, creative, bizarre, and unique, which is something that can't be said very often nowadays. It's a feast for the senses just as much as it is a statement on them.
Resurrection is definitely a contender for my Top 4. If you love movies, you must watch this.
Lists: *2025 Ranked, Favorite Films, and Needs a Second Watch*
Last Review: *Crime 101*