'Wil' Review | Netflix war drama leaves you emotional with its haunting portrayal of WWII
ANTWERP, BELGIUM: With the backdrop of Belgium's war-torn Antwerp, Netflix's new film 'Wil' does a great job of capturing the horrors of WWII.
Directed by Tim Mielants, the movie was first released in a few theatres in September 2023 and debuted on Netflix for streaming on January 31.
The movie explores the theme of morality when it is least expected. It is centred around the rookie policeman who gets entangled in the murky complexities of war politics.
Wilfried Wils (Stef Aerts) is a decent man who also happens to be a talented artist. He encounters difficulties as a rookie policeman when a soldier approaches him and his friend Lode Metdepenningen (Matteo Simoni) to carry out a raid on a Jewish home.
As the raid goes awry, Wils ends up killing the soldier, entangling himself in a web of complex politics and morality.
The film itself does a good job of capturing the horrific reality of World War II, when millions of people were put to death for simply harbouring different beliefs.
'Wil' is visually and intellectually compelling
Tim Mielants has done a great job of bringing the chilling reality of World War II to the screen. The movie is genuinely intriguing and does the masterful trick of compelling you to contemplate the horrors of WWII.
It is extremely difficult to make movies with such sensitive subjects because they emphasise the personal struggles of the people affected rather than the political plans and strategies used to win the war.
Mielants has expertly incorporated the complex storyline of the novel into the film, making sure that it is both understandable and poignant at the same time.
Stef Aerts shines as the conflicted policeman
The actors' outstanding performances have aptly conveyed the gravity of the events on screen, further enhancing the movie's narrative.
Wilfried Wils, as a character, is complex yet sympathetic. Stef Aerts has done a masterful job of conveying the subtleties of the character while illustrating his internal conflicts. His portrayal adds emotional depth to the story, leading viewers to empathise with Wilfried Wils.
Matteo Simoni's performance of Lode Metdepenningen is applause-worthy. His performance gives the story new dynamics. With a tangible chemistry with Aerts' Wilfried Wils, Simoni's portrayal contributes to the film's emotional journey.
Annelore Crollet, who is well-known for her powerful acting abilities, has once again shown why she is a formidable actor. Her compelling portrayal of Yvette Metdepenningen contributes significantly to the film's emotional richness.
'Wil' transports you to the war-torn city of Antwerp
The movie's quality is overall elevated through its authentic depiction of war-torn Antwerp.
The cinematography most closely resembles what we can imagine that period of time to have been like.
Furthermore, the level of detail-orientedness is commendable. Additionally, the production design truly merits all the appreciation and admiration for its meticulous work.
Overall, the movie is both haunting and evocative. The film does a fantastic job of balancing morality and self-deception with its gripping and thought-provoking adaptation of the novel.
It will disturb you and serve as a reminder that war is never beneficial for either side and can only result in destruction.
'Wil' is currently streaming on Netflix
