In Without Blood, Angelina Jolie takes a bold and visually striking approach to exploring the enduring impact of war through the lens of her latest directorial effort.
Premiering at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, this adaptation of Alessandro Baricco’s novel delves into the aftermath of an unspecified conflict, intertwining themes of vengeance, trauma, and the human cost of violence.
Despite the film’s impressive cinematography and the powerful performances by Salma Hayek and Demián Bichir, Without Blood grapples with its abstract narrative and vague setting, leaving audiences to question whether its artistic ambitions translate into a compelling cinematic experience.
Without Blood: A Mixed Bag of Ambition and Execution
Angelina Jolie’s latest directorial venture, Without Blood, attempts to delve into the human toll of war, offering a contemplative take on revenge, trauma, and survival.
The film, based on Alessandro Baricco’s 2002 novel, has garnered considerable attention, particularly for its lead performances by Salma Hayek and Demián Bichir.
However, while the film is visually stunning and atmospherically rich, it has struggled to connect with critics and audiences alike due to its abstraction and narrative choices.
Jolie’s Directorial Intentions: Ambition Over Impact
Angelina Jolie, renowned for her humanitarian work and her advocacy for underrepresented voices, has taken on projects that reflect her concerns about war and its consequences. Her previous films, such as In the Land of Blood and Honey and First They Killed My Father, portrayed specific conflicts with raw emotion and detail.
However, Without Blood pivots to a more abstract and metaphorical portrayal of the lingering scars of war.
In adapting Baricco’s text, Jolie embraces the novel’s vagueness, leaving the conflict unnamed and the characters’ histories murky. The intention is to create a universal message about the senselessness of violence, but this abstraction often works against the film, leaving audiences searching for a deeper emotional connection.
In many ways, Without Blood mirrors the atmosphere of Incendies, another film about war, but it lacks the narrative precision and tension that director Denis Villeneuve expertly delivered.
Star Performances Amidst a Hollow Narrative
Despite the film’s structural shortcomings, the performances of Salma Hayek and Demián Bichir elevate the material. Hayek portrays Nina, a woman haunted by the massacre of her family, while Bichir plays Tito, the man who was complicit in the violence.
The film’s emotional core lies in their tense exchanges as they confront the trauma of their pasts and the violence that binds them.
Hayek’s portrayal of Nina brings depth to a character who has endured unspeakable horrors. Her simmering rage and the burden of her past manifest in small gestures and quiet moments, making her a compelling figure. On the other hand, Bichir’s Tito, a once-rebellious youth turned weary operator of a kiosk, provides a counterpoint to Nina’s intensity, offering a reflection on the futility of violence.
The chemistry between the two actors is palpable, and their scenes together are the most gripping in the film.
A Visually Impressive, Yet Thematically Overwrought Film
One of Without Blood’s strongest elements is its visual aesthetic. Jolie and cinematographer Seamus McGarvey craft a richly textured world filled with sepia tones, soft lighting, and wide landscapes that evoke both a western and a post-war Europe.
The opening scene, in particular, showcases Jolie’s ability to direct violence with a steady hand, as horseback riders lasso a young man and drag him across the dirt—a powerful, western-inflected moment that sets the tone for the film’s exploration of revenge and justice.
Yet, for all its beauty, the film often feels hollow. Jolie’s stylistic flourishes, such as slow-motion shots of golden light reflecting off the cobblestones and Nina’s deliberate, almost theatrical movements, can feel overly indulgent, distracting from the emotional weight of the story.
The Role of Family Behind and In Front of the Camera
Jolie’s familial ties extend beyond the thematic content of the film. Her sons Maddox, 23, and Pax, 20, worked in the assistant director department on Without Blood, serving as liaisons between the director and other departments.
Hayek, who starred in the film, praised their professionalism, noting that despite their close family ties, Jolie demanded high standards from her sons. Hayek herself brought her daughter Valentina to the set, which, she noted, added a sense of warmth and comfort during the emotionally heavy shoot.
Hayek’s admiration for Jolie extended to her role as a director. Hayek, who initially resisted taking on the emotionally taxing role of Nina, revealed that Jolie’s approach on set was surprisingly gentle and empathetic, especially considering the film’s dark subject matter.
Jolie’s ability to create a familial atmosphere on set added an element of support that helped the cast tackle the film’s weighty themes.
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| Angelina Jolie and Pax Jolie-Pitt Monica Schipper/ GettyImages |
A Troubling Reception at TIFF
Despite the film’s strong performances and technical achievements, Without Blood premiered to mixed-to-negative reviews at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Critics pointed to the film’s abstract narrative, which left many feeling disconnected from the characters and the story’s emotional stakes.
The vague nature of the conflict and the lack of clear historical or geographical grounding made it difficult for audiences to engage with the film on a deeper level.
The film’s reception is concerning for Fremantle, the studio that signed a three-picture deal with Jolie. With reviews ranging from tepid to outright negative, there is doubt about how the film will fare commercially, especially given its heavy themes and ambiguous storytelling.
Jolie and Hayek: A Partnership That’s Just Beginning
Despite the critical challenges Without Blood faces, Jolie and Hayek’s collaboration is far from over. At the TIFF premiere, Hayek revealed that Jolie is producing her next project, a film that Hayek herself will direct.
This marks Hayek’s directorial debut, and she credited Jolie for guiding her through the process, describing her as a close friend and mentor. The two have worked together before on the 2021 Marvel film Eternals, and their creative partnership continues to flourish.
As for Without Blood, while it may not have struck the right balance between abstraction and emotional resonance, it showcases Jolie’s evolving directorial voice and her commitment to challenging material.
Whether or not it finds its audience, it remains a visually compelling exploration of war, trauma, and the complexities of revenge.
Conclusion: A Film of Contradictions
Without Blood stands as a film of contradictions. It is both visually arresting and narratively distant, emotionally powerful yet thematically ambiguous.
Jolie’s directorial vision remains ambitious, but the film’s abstract approach to war and trauma may leave viewers yearning for more specificity and connection.
However, with standout performances by Hayek and Bichir and a visually captivating aesthetic, Without Blood still offers moments of brilliance amidst its imperfections.
