Spirituality in The Revenant - Video Essay

When the Revenant was released, nearly all of the film's press focused on the behind-the-scenes insanity, and Leo of course. Here's a deeper look at some of the spiritual and religious themes that I gathered from watching the film.
FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY
If you like this, please let me know and I'll make more!
Twitter: / drivingnelson
Movie Reviews: cinemacy.com/au...
The Revenant directed by Alejandro G. Inarritu
Original Score by Ryuichi Sakamoto
Original Score from previous Inarritu films by Gustavo Santaolalla
Additional music by:
Bryan Hume / bryanhume
DirtyKidBasel / dirtykidbasel
Additional Material
/ loganpaul
Ted Hope "Hope For Film"
ABC
Special Thanks
Darren Foley - Must See Films / foleyd87
Jasper & Ryan

[@CaloobianMongoose]

This essay blew me away. The Revenant is one of my all-time favorite movies but I had never even thought to analyze the aspect of religion through the two main characters but now that you point it out, I feel foolish for not catching it sooner lol. Brilliantly done, mate.

[@7deepbreaths.sounds]

My GOD....this video essay is beyond GENIUS

[@manlikechocolate]

just watched the revenant and came to youtube for some analysis. Best vid I found, you should definitely have more subscribers. Keep up the good work!

[@HintofFilm]

Thanks for the positive feedback, really appreciate it! Every single new subscriber helps keep it going

[@manlikechocolate]

Hint of Film you channel with grow I’m sure

[@averagejoe6617]

The Revenant is a massively understudied film when it comes to it's themes, 'm glad that a video essay of such caliber was made. It ain't much, but take my like, comment, and sub to hopefully help this video and your channel grow.

[@livinligo]

I'm glad someone made a video on this -- was hard to find amongst all the filmography stuff (which was also awesome)

[@marcusjosephfilm]

This is my favorite video essay so far, the most accurate I believe in identifying motifs behind the film.

[@HintofFilm]

Wow thank you so much!!

[@GericOrias]

Found this video by accident but I'm so glad I did! Didn't really think much in terms of themes the first time I watched the movie (or read Punke's book) but after reading into the director's background, I should've known he'd create the perfect situation in which to inject his conflicting human condition stories into it. I'm going to have to watch the movie again!

[@dirtykidmusic]

Damn, this is great stuff. looking forward to see more of your work, keep it up and thank you so much for your support

[@HintofFilm]

Thank you for your support! Love your track and look forward to more from you as well

[@HaHa-vy9ot]

I’m so late to this, but oh my god, your essay is golden! I have been trying to find one true video that explains the movie on the deeper level, I always knew there was something behind it. But every video about “revenant” was about how it was made, so annoying. You just made me so happy! I think I’ve searched for you for all these 5 years, and here you are!!

[@Lemmestarve]

super underrated video

[@youtubecom32]

Excellent analysis, my guy! The Revenant was absolutely incredible. Glad I found your channel.

[@JazzaTV]

Great work on the video man! This was really well done and researched, love hearing alternative views of films especially ones that I didn't pick up on such as this. Look forward to seeing more from you!

[@TheAngryHippie]

Excellent video

[@thebigbingbongboss8777]

Honestly this is very good review/essay I haven’t seen anyone so far that that talked about spirituality in the revenant most of the Time they talk about revenge and survival witch is important but I’m glad you talked about this subject because it is also very important in this movie

[@Bangali540]

This video essay was done extremely well. I am constantly looking for videos like this. #liked #subscribed

[@kevina5337]

I didn't really appreciate it the first time I watched it in theater, but now I realize this is a truly exceptional film. Not just the cinematography, which is some of the best Hollywood's ever had to offer, but now that I'm older I appreciate the story and sub-text which is incredible as well. And of course the bear scene is insanely well done, arguably the best single-take of any movie ever made.. I seriously can't even comprehend how they did that scene so well, given the bear doesn't actually exist and was all CGI, but somehow Leo and the bear's movements are like perfectly choreographed together? Crazy lol ..

[@Tishbite731]

Extraordinarily underrated video, thank you so much for this. I was rewatching this and when I saw it the first time 3 years ago when it came out, I was still a staunch Atheist. But rewatching it now as a devout Catholic, I noticed the symbolism and the struggle of both main characters and the difference in faith

[@DigitalLogos]

Same here, brother. I was an Atheist back when this movie came out, so, naturally, this subtext was lost on me. I saw revenge and survival. But now, upon rewatching today, I was awed by the subtext, especially in the Church dream scene and the subsequent fever dreams Glass had leading up to it, of the presence of Faith and man's utter dependence on God. What struck me initially was the scene of Glass reflecting on his wife as he was undergoing the Indian healing ritual, and the parables about trees which I saw as comparable to the Tree of the Cross, that firm ground where Faith is rooted.

[@sux2bu2day]

Awesome video. You definitely need to make more. Subbed.

[@maxguillen8135]

dude...i love video essays. this takes the CAKE. great observations!

[@irismolenaar8894]

Amazing video essay! This must be the best one ive seen in a long while.

[@billmyers991]

The Fitzgerald's have brought this planet to its knees, with or without religion, but Mother Earth shall laugh last, the truly Revenant, humanity just a reel change, a blip upon the screen

[@hhhl942]

Great analysis. Keep on making videos, you're talented.

[@HintofFilm]

Thank you very much!

[@27MH]

Outstanding! I can't wait for more, really inspiring content for the learning of future filmmakers.

[@lauraluladelano1423]

Really wonderful. I was not completely taken by the Revenant until I watched this video...it made me love it and appreciate it in hindsight! This made me want to watch the film again with new and more open eyes. Thank you!

[@HintofFilm]

Thanks so much for both your comments! Really appreciate the support

[@Timmylee40]

Excellent video, man! What vein/level of spirituality do you think Inarritu is pointing towards? A simplistic Christianity, or a more pantheistic "god is nature" type of religion?

[@HintofFilm]

Thank you so much, more will be coming soon! I do think there's a clear connection to Christianity, given that at the end Glass chooses to say 'God' instead of 'Creator' as Hikuc says - this is his way of internalizing the message to his own personal philosophies (which, I believe, mirror Inarritu's). It makes sense that they are both present though if Glass was married to a native woman, so I don't think they have to be mutually exclusive either

[@Kjlakinmedia]

It's interesting because pantheism is referenced in film seen in it's signature spiral symbol on Glass's water bottle that Hawk carved into that ended up being a major plot device in the movie.

[@KushagraaDubeyy]

Great work with this. Your voice resembles Captain Henry’s (Domhnall Gleeson) voice.

[@summerventi4597]

Thanks for the hard work

[@svenmc9748]

Wow. Explained it better than I ever could.

[@alexanderdas3579]

Alot of potential in you. Keep making such vids

[@HintofFilm]

Thank you! Every subscriber helps :) if you like this one check out some others, appreciate your positive feedback

[@davidpopaart]

Absolutely incredible analysis of the film 🙌

[@manuu759]

You got very good understanding Make sure you don't lose it

[@harryom3497]

It goes deep than I expected

[@firewarrior5828]

"Life!?! What life you talking about!?! I ain't got no life! All I got is living! And the only way I get to do that is through these pelts!" That line just sounds so real. His tone of voice really makes it stand out to me.

[@aetherexpeditions]

This is one of the best film essays ever. Thank you for this knowledge. It's content like this that makes me want to study film even more! P. S Would it be reasonable to assume that Glass died in the end because the breathing becomes faint and it stops during the credits?

[@HintofFilm]

Thank you! Positive feedback and subscriptions are what keep me making video essays, I am glad you found it enjoyable and informative. I never saw Glass as dying after the scene, in fact, I think he comes to peace with why he is still alive, which would give him more reason to keep living. The historical facts indicate he lived years beyond his survival too, so I especially doubt that's the ending. But there's room for other interpretations no doubt! Check out my other videos if you enjoyed this one

[@leomireles2024]

Bravo... Simply bravo my man.

[@vishalzparadize]

This is an excellent video. I'm subscribing to this channel hoping to see more of such work.

[@HintofFilm]

Thank you for the positive feedback! Working on next video now, won't be too much longer

[@RAREBASEDGOD]

Great work here, you definitely deserve more views.

[@GMS919]

This is amazing Man! Amazing! Curiosity: how long did it take to make the video? roughly

[@HintofFilm]

Thank you very much, I really appreciate the feedback! I came up with the idea after seeing Revenant last year and thinking how nobody else I talked to saw the themes in it that made me really appreciate it. When the movie came out on DVD in July, I got to work on the video, first re-watching it while taking notes, then writing a script, then editing. Because I had a few other priorities at the same time, I did it on weekends and in spare time so it took me until November to edit, then did final touches up until the release. This one took longer because I've never made a video like it before, but I got a lot from it and now want to make more!

[@GMS919]

Hint of Film, but did you had experience before? The narration is very well done. The pauses and all. And the video editing also.

[@HintofFilm]

I did have some related experience! I've done a lot of freelance editing, mostly in documentaries and promo videos. This was my first attempt to do a video essay, but I watched a lot on KZbin to figure out how I wanted to do my own. Used plenty of online tutorials, especially for the motion graphics which I learned for this project

[@tjsmind]

Phenomenal content

[@pyrrhusofepirus8491]

I really liked Henry, he just seemed like a good bloke who wants to do good.

[@victormuhia750]

For those who came here and found this smart analysis, watch true detective season 1 if you haven't. Same religious theme of pessimism, and how it makes and breaks our spirit to synthesise who we are. Have you ever asked yourself, when push comes to shove, where will you stand? It's a fictional movie, but you just have to appreciate how life is different from how it was in the past, as it said in the movie, "We are all savages"

[@SAVUFILMS]

Now i gotta go back and watch it again

[@ThirdEyeVision47]

Thank You

[@Revivalgunzz]

Amazing stuff man, keep it up.

[@rravicbi]

Amazing man! keep doing this! :)

[@FunUncle]

awesome work

[@LadyCaSh45]

Love this video!

[@classicheraldgameplays5364]

I love this movie what a great movie of faith.

[@classicheraldgameplays5364]

Fitzgerald is an overt narcissist. This was a beautiful and unique perspective.

[@marcosyarza6324]

So great when you add humour ( whatever way it's spelled) mexican fan of yours by the way

[@pushthetempo2]

I second that, hector

[@sharxlp4846]

Music at 0:40? It sounds so good!

[@HintofFilm]

Original score to another Iñarritu film Babel, by Gustavo Santaolalla - I agree, it is a great track! kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6fHq5SsfNKNrdk

[@coupobol6172]

Brillant

[@DeanRendar]

life's got unseen directors, thats why the highs and lows of real identities seem boring and bland in the internet age where lying about your daily routine has become a full on sham act to retain a paycheck, But my natural private life seems to be setup to expose me to reliable, high potential responsible types that could be breaking a weaker person down by comparison to feel less, but its these low moments of uncertainty that make the known and validated achievements that much sweeter without the ability to merly appear as if to a separate unknowing party.

[@SonyaOutThere]

I did find The Revenant to be a spiritual movie in many ways despite all the violence and action involved. All the spiritual messages are more subtly couched in symbols (i.e. his wife’s constant sayings about trees 🌳 with strong roots withstanding the wind 💨 even when the branches are shaking, exactly what Glass saw above him when Hawk was murdered). Even spiritually deficient characters are exposed (i.e. John Fitzgerald talking about how his father found “God,” which was no more than what enables a man to live a bit longer as a mortal being).

[@kujo7777]

Amazing analysis! My only issue is when he says revenge is in God's hands only after he's beat, cut, pushed Fitzgerald in the river (he will now undoubtedly die) and send him off to ppl who will no doubt mean him harm....seems late for that revelation imo

[@HintofFilm]

No joke my dad said the exact same thing…

[@DanielVB04]

Jesus is the way, the life, and the truth. NO-ONE CAN come through the father except through Him.

[@2serveand2protect]

Well you guys have the right to say whatever you like about "Leo" and (frankly) I do not like him that much myself. The fella seems to be a bit of a narcissist, in love with himself (even though nothing on the level of Clooney, but still!.. he has that). THAT SAID! - the man (DiCaprio) - is not just some "pretty face for the "Big Screen" like it often happens with modern movies, when they put in steroid-ripped junkies as a cheap substitute for the lack of ANY REAL PLOT! "Leo" is a VERY good actor, too. In these days one of the very best there are in fact. "SHUTTER ISLAND" - "THE DEPARTED" and "GANGS OF NEW YORK" - those movies speak for themselves and his "act" has always been TOP-NOTCH.

[@nickscheidt9986]

Jesus loves you

[@religionisatragedy8537]

Damn this kinda ruins the movie for me

[@bloodyplebs]

Get a pop filter