Steppenwolf : Fantastic Fest Review

Most movies tend to follow a formula—good guy wins, boy gets girl, hero saves the day—but just like in life, standing out by doing something different can be extraordinary. In the case of a movie, going against the grain can often lead to incredible viewing experiences that leave you speechless. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an Adilkhan Yerzhanov film before, but after watching Steppenwolf, I can assure you I’ll be seeking out everything I can find.

At some police station in the middle of nowhere, a man with his face covered is brought in on a bus. He is led to a cell, where a police officer is listening to another man ramble on about being wrongly imprisoned. The mystery man enters the cell and silently smokes a cigarette, but soon grabs a fan and repeatedly smashes the other man’s hand with its blades. This man is an interrogator (Berik Aytzhanov), and he gets his information by any means necessary. His interrogation is interrupted by an attack on the facility, and all the police are killed, but the interrogator survives. Amid the chaos, he meets a woman named Tamara (Anna Starchenko) who is looking for her son. Facing execution, the interrogator manages to barter with his captors, offering them money in exchange for helping him find the boy. This begins a journey retracing steps, where the interrogator discovers a connection to the people behind the disappearance of Tamara’s son and a family tragedy of his own. What follows is a revenge story where everyone is a villain, and no one is safe.

Steppenwolf is set in the badlands of Kazakhstan, where the rule of law is minimal, and gangs fight for control. With that in mind, you know Tamara and the interrogator’s journey won’t be a leisurely stroll, but a brutal trip—something Yerzhanov presents in a matter-of-fact way. The film feels like a modern western, but there are no heroes wearing white hats here; this is a world devoid of redeemable characters, save perhaps for the mother and child. What you do get, though, is an unforgettable antihero who is unconcerned with morality and does whatever he pleases, which only enhances the story.

Steppenwolf is truly a vision to behold, feeling larger than life thanks to its over-the-top characters. There isn’t much dialogue in the film, but what is said speaks volumes, thanks to performances that feel boundless. Aytzhanov is a joy to watch, evoking memories of Malcolm McDowell’s performance in A Clockwork Orange, especially in the way he seems to revel in his actions. All of this adds to Steppenwolf’s unrelenting descent into hopelessness, which still manages to shine a little light amidst the chaos. I will say this movie is not for the faint of heart, but for those who are willing to experience it, it will burn itself into your mind and linger long after it’s over.