Can there ever truly be justice for the wealthy and privileged? It’s a question we grapple with still today, and so does filmmaker John Michael McDonagh in his latest film, The Forgiven, starring the irresistible duo of Ralph Fiennes and Oscar winner Jessica Chastain.
Based on Lawrence Osborne’s novel, The Forgiven stars Fiennes and Chastain as a wealthy couple on their way to a party in Morocco, only to get into an accident with a teenage local. The situation spins out of control as they attempt to use their privilege to cover it up.
Also in the cast are Matt Smith, Ismael Kanater, Caleb Landry Jones, Abbey Lee, Saïd Taghmaoui and Christopher Abbott, so a really strong ensemble.
This is McDonagh’s first film since 2016’s disappointing War on Everyone. Prior to that he wrote and directed The Old Guard and Calvary, the latter a personal favorite. All of McDonagh’s films deal with complicated, even downright unlikeable characters and this appears to be no different.
The Forgiven debuted at last year’s TIFF, and will make its U.S. debut at Tribeca next month. That will be followed by a theatrical release on July 1st.
Speeding through the Moroccan desert to attend an old friend’s lavish weekend party, wealthy Londoners David and Jo Henninger are involved in a tragic accident with a local teenage boy. Arriving late at the grand villa with the debauched party raging, the couple attempts to cover up the incident with the collusion of the local police. But when the boy’s father arrives seeking justice, the stage is set for a tension-filled culture clash in which David and Jo must come to terms with their fateful act and its shattering consequences.
