"We're not bad people. We just come from a bad place."

The film is profoundly sad. It brilliantly depicts what is the true effect of addiction. How it sucks the life out of someone until they are forced to give in to their desire, thus becoming just a hollow shell of a person. The whole thing has an unsettling vibe to it, and the color tone and cinematography do help the story to move forward. Steve McQueen as a director really shines here. He tells the story with subtlety, like there some scenes where the characters don't say much, and he relies on visuals to do the work.

As for the acting, Michael Fassbender is insanely brilliant as he is in all of his other films. This role requires a lot from him like he has to be charismatic, also has to bring a sense of vulnerability to the character which he does amazingly. Carey Mulligan's character is sort of this broken person who clearly has a past with her brother, at least that's what I got from some of their awkward encounters.

It's kind of a tough film to sit through, so it's not recommended for everyone.

Mental Illness done with an outsider looking in. The trauma in their childhood must have been great for these two to suffer what the viewer is witnessing. Any addiction is difficult to watch. I was exhausted after watching this film. Like a hunter Brandon's thirst could never be quenched. He is existing not living. There are so many facets to this fim that are interesting: the boss David's ability to have a family and indulge in sex on the side, people's willingness to go to a bar and have sex with a stranger and then go on with their lives, unaffected. Yet Brandon, with no ties to anyone, is smoldering and suffocating in the weight of his obsession. A good study in human behavior. I don't like sex in film for sensationalism but the sex in this film was like another character, the antagonist.