Werner Herzog’s latest film, "Bucking Fastard," premiered at the New York Film Festival, drawing mixed reactions for its unconventional narrative and atmospheric tone. The film centers on twin sisters Jean and Joan Holbrooke, portrayed by Kate and Rooney Mara, whose characters are loosely based on real-life twins Freda and Greta Chaplin. Set primarily in Ireland, the story explores the sisters’ enigmatic and synchronized behavior as they pursue a troubled relationship with a man named Gareth, played by Orlando Bloom.
The plot follows Jean and Joan, who speak and act in unison, evoking an eerie, almost otherworldly presence. Their quest for love leads them through a series of unusual and disjointed episodes, including a court trial for harassing Gareth, a boisterous and intoxicated character. The sisters’ pursuit includes time spent in a Dublin apartment, an isolated farmhouse, and an attempt to tunnel through a cave toward the Orkney Islands, underscoring the film’s folkloric and surreal elements. These sequences often shift abruptly, contributing to a sense of aimless wandering rather than a clear narrative progression.
Critics note that Herzog’s writing leans heavily into oddity and abstraction, with dialogue and characterizations that some find thinly sketched and cryptic. The film’s atmosphere is described as detached and imbued with an American Gothic sensibility that contrasts with the Irish setting. While the subject matter and style align with Herzog’s known penchant for enigmatic storytelling, some viewers find the execution challenging, with an uneven tone that oscillates between intrigue and frustration.
Despite these criticisms, the performances of Kate and Rooney Mara receive recognition for their ability to merge into a single haunting entity, effectively conveying the twins’ intense bond and peculiarities. Their portrayal anchors the film’s more surreal moments, providing a focal point amid the otherwise meandering plot.
Overall, "Bucking Fastard" presents a vision that blends folklore, psychological drama, and experimental narrative. While it may appeal to audiences familiar with Herzog’s idiosyncratic approach, others may find its pacing and tone difficult to engage with. The film’s exploration of identity, obsession, and the search for connection unfolds in a manner that resists conventional storytelling, leaving its ultimate impact open to interpretation.