Too Old To Die Young - Review & Analysis

[@dfailsthemost]

This show is the best show I'll never recommend to anyone. I think of it as being a different animal from other series.

[@renehinojosa1962]

If one can appreciate Drive than I let them know about the show otherwise it's my own guilty pleasure.

[@dfailsthemost]

@@renehinojosa1962 Excellent litmus test.

[@hudsontoo1212]

No kidding. It’s so good- but it’s so fucked up you can’t recommend it. As a photographer- Refn is the shit. If you don’t like that stuff- it’s probably terrible. The shots are the only reason I can actually get through the content of the story. It’s incredibly dark to the point I worry about what the guy is actually into.

[@goji9000]

I agree. I have watched this series from beginning to end a few times, but will not recommend it to any of my friends. It’s definitely not made for casual viewing. My friends will have to just stumble upon it on their own.

[@poontang3zizo]

Surprised you didn't see the connection between Viggo and One Eye from Valhalla Rising. Essentially both are takes on Odin, who after losing his eye, gained wisdom

[@FilipeG96]

In episode 4, if I'm not mistaken, Viggo even cites the very beggining of Valhalla Rising ("In the beggining, there was only man and nature..."), which also fits with the whole decadent subtext. The connection seems very much intentional.

[@PIANOPICTURES]

@@FilipeG96 add R. Wagner music to the list.

[@moneyshrine]

Absolutely , i think one eye becomes the driver then becomes chang and ultimately transforms into a woman(yaritza)

[@ed209inCA]

I just finished the show. I had no idea it had even been made. There's a lot to digest, but here's my take on it: I wanted to love it, but I just couldn't because some scenes were just too drawn out and because of the repetitive slow panning shots. (One shot was 45 seconds long, showing nothing but horses in a dusty corral) I also wanted to hate it, but I couldn't do that either. Some of the cinematography was absolutely beautiful, especially the shot of Miguel in front of the flowered wall. Jesus's transformation from the quiet "American" to a dominant leader over his right hand man was also very well written. I was disappointed they didn't flesh out Miguel's character and that there wasn't any closure between Diana and Yaritza. One thing I liked, but also didn't like, was the constant use of red and blue light. During the soccer match, the police captain pointed out the player's uniforms were red and blue and said red represented the cartel and blue represented the police. Whenever you saw characters afterward, they were lit with either red or blue lights, depending on what their actions/motivations were. For example, when Martin drove to New Mexico to deal with the porn directors, he drove a red car; signifying his motives were "evil." Later, when he went to Damian's safe house, the lights are red but he's lit in blue as he enters the doorway because he was in "cop mode." Same goes for Viggo and Jesus. When there was a mixture of motives, the lights were purple, which is the blending of red and blue on the color wheel. Diana was lit in earthy colors, like yellow, and then green during that beautiful apple pie scene in the restaurant. In episode 9, though, she's wearing white, which I interpreted as the pale rider on the white horse from the Book of Revelations. Yaritza and Jesus have a great scene where they both sit down at the ranch and cross their legs at the same time. It's subtle, but it looks like Yaritza's top is a shade of dark blue, and her pants are red. Jesus, on the other hand, is wearing a red shirt and dark pants that also have a blue shade to them. In essence, they represented a sort of ying and yang balance, where part of what they do is evil but part of their motivation is good (Yaritza protecting the prostitutes, Jesus avenging his mother). When Martin leaves his agency, he wears a bright blue hoodie because he's essentially becoming like Viggo and only going after evil people. There's so much more to cover, but that would take too long to write out. Te depth of the show is what I really liked abou it, but I know it's not for everyone. Definitely worth recommending to people who will give it the attention it deserves in spite of its flaws.

[@dtebel]

I found watching the show is more like looking at paintings in a gallery. It's a fantastic series and doesn't assault your psyche with rapid cuts and jump scares. Your brain takes a break and it's pacing gives you an almost meditative state. Touching on your note of Diana wearing white and becoming the Pale Rider notice that Martin drives a Red Mustang (Red Horse/War) while tracking down the Crockett brothers in New Mexico. Refn is Red-Green colorblind so his lighting is very strong and saturated. Episode 8 is fantastic and I wonder if at that point Refn had started to lose his mind. The opening Masonic/Christ pageant really sealed the series for me. Martin and Vigo going after Redford in the abandoned mall (more decrepit Americana). Teller does a great job showing Martin relaxing and being at peace after leaving the force, it took me a rewatch to notice the subtleties of his transformation, you see some of it during ep. 5 when he is beginning to develop his method of killing: talk to the target until they feel safe around you; it seems like it's something he learned from Vigo at the beginning of episode 4 when they go to the PTSD group and he introduces himself as "Mike". Also, going back to episode 8, I didn't pick this up until a rewatch but Vigo's mother tells Martin what happened while her son was dead, something Vigo didn't relate but I think explains the ending of the episode, going into the Christ mythology of "rising" on the third day. Check out Refn's earlier film "Fear X", this communication with beings from beyond/ghosts is something he has explored before. I figured the beings on screen were Martin's psychic imprint of Janey, or was her, sort of.

[@PetSkull78]

This series has grown on me. I liked it when I saw it. Now I love it. Best looking series to date. When I saw it I knew there would not be season 2. It's too slow paced, violent and obscure to be successful. But I wished I was wrong. I also hoped for blu-ray release, but no. For me NWR isn't the best director at the moment, but probably the most interesting. I've only loved Drive, but Neon Demon, Only God Forgives and Too Old To Die Young are beautifully shot unique pieces of art. I also love his dark & dry humour.

[@dtebel]

I mean there are probably a lot of Hollywood suits who aren't entirely comfortable with vigilantes killing pedophiles around Los Angeles.

[@thestendhalsyndrome]

I thought the snorting was from cocaine or drugs, thats a good point you made about it and Martin's spitting. William Baldwin was so good, as well as the entire cast. This was my favorite series I've seen this year, stands out among the usual safe vanilla stuff Great analysis, I also read somewhere (but forgot where it was from) someone pointing out that Yaritza and Diana were interpretations of witches influencing these events on opposite sides, forgot the rest of it but it was an interesting theory

[@robind6179]

Cocaine makes a lot more sense. I miiight've overthought that one. There does seem to be a pattern of weird communication methods/ticks throughout the series though. I agree - so refreshing to have something bold and weird. Let me know if you find the source for that theory. Sounds interesting.

[@TheGililgi]

We’re entitled to our opinions but you enjoyed this over HBO’s Chernobyl? I mean to me that show actually made me feel something since it based on true events and all. Would love to hear your thoughts

[@robind6179]

@@TheGililgi Chernobyl was great, but yeah I did enjoy this more. TOTDY was messier and more flawed, but I'm a sucker for surreal, weird, dark and philosophical over real, polished and political.

[@ultimateblong]

Akira Kurosawa often told his actors to pick a gesture and repeat it throughout his films. I imagine Refn borrowed this idea, or at least wrote them in rather than tell his actors. I think Refn made the gestures far more interesting in a more Pavlovian way when it came to Martin's spitting. Moments like when Yaritza spat in Jesus' mouth during sex after torturing Martin for the day had layers of expression that I thought was absolute genius because at that point we've already associated the act of spitting with Martin, but now it held a completely different meaning.

[@ACD95]

From someone who has done cocaine numerous times, it’s definitely coke drainage (the snorting)

[@jacksonstacey8472]

Fantastic essay. I especially loved the linking of Refns work to that off Huysmans and his peers french decadence, which now pointed out is extremely obvious and made me realise almost a missing link to my connection and love for all these works.

[@robind6179]

Thanks. Yeah I wonder if Refn is specifically interested in the 19th century decadence, and has read some of those books, or just happens to be into a lot of the related ideas

[@philbourque5216]

I watched it early on prime and completely forgot I'd seen it. A year later I recalled I had watched it and became hostile to it in rewatching. Impenetrable except in it's clear mean spiritedness. Drive, Pusher I admire, this and Only God, nah!

[@alexcoyg3281]

This was a great show but its too slow for 90% of people, the death of Janey might be one of the most effective scenes i have ever seen, it felt real, great video, thank you!👍

[@Kardinaal29]

That opening scene/shot is at Cactus Taco off of Moorpark and Tujunga in Studio City. It’s my go to place for tacos and burritos. Was funny seeing it in this.

[@dtebel]

I really want to visit the swimming pool that Diana hangs out at, it's on the north side of LA just looks weird.

[@keveardo]

Im just really bummed that it won't be getting a 2nd Season 😢... such an underrated show

[@genuinebrendan]

don’t think a second season was ever the goal tbh

[@frodobaggins6450]

you don't need a 2nd season for a show like this.

[@denzelromero4796]

It was totally a “greatest hits “ / a fusion of all Refn’s previous world . Episode 7 was my favorite

[@redsoxfox]

Man this show was so so nuts. Was like No Country for Old Men if I would compare to anything. When the main cop died, I was kind of taken out of the show. Not because he died but because it’s like the show felt like it needed to end already.

[@Enerki]

It's occultism. It's the all-seeing eye. I actually prefer this series over all of his movies. It's pretty deep.

[@karimmoop9560]

One of the things I really like about the show is that its implicitly stated that the Feminization fo Society is the direct cause of all the killing & violence going on

[@dtebel]

On the surface it's a pretty crime noir series, but when you understand that Martin is America/Hollywood anda sort of Elvis who stands like John Wayne and walks like John Travolta succumbing to the growing power of a new way of life it really hits. Also his bad decisions catch up to him. Rewatched ep. 4 "The Tower" recently and it really sets up the ending.

[@moneyshrine]

Amazing to see someone who really understand what this is all about, it is about the occult, the secret societies, about the concept we tend to know as god, and about religion , spirituality, death and more than anything else about the end of the days( the armageddon, doomsday, kali yuga)

[@moneyshrine]

​@@karimmoop9560can you expand a little bit more on this subject ( i definitely sense that about the character jesus he seems like an all femenine homosexual guy doing ultraviolence)

[@filmmoviePRODUCTIONS]

This made me see the series in a new light. At first I thought that Refn was presenting himself as the filmmaker that people THINK Tarantino is, but this series proved to be one of the most interesting things I've seen in a while.

[@bobharrison7184]

Brilliant work bro. Really needed this to help sort all my thoughts. Like you said there are multiple deep and complex ideas that demand more viewings and hours of dissection and analysis, but this is a great foundation for me to build off of. Much thanks.

[@robind6179]

Thanks man. Yeah I'm looking forward to a rewatch one day.

[@ttrestle]

The show was absolutely amazing. I’ve watched it twice. I will admit that it was in dire need of editing. I really don’t mind a slow burn whatsoever so it’s not that I’m mindlessly in need of a faster show. But there are parts of the show that just became a slog because of the pacing and extra nonsense. Overall though, I think it’s almost a masterpiece. The casting was perfect. I mean really perfect.

[@MAandS]

I reallllly needed an analysis after watching it. It's sooooo long and a lot of it is very subtle and gets lost in the striking imagery and dark subject. Thanks for this

[@SemperSalam]

One of the best shows I’ve ever seen. It was a bit slow at times but I don’t mind a slow pace if it pays off. This show definitely paid off.

[@Killab-kc7io]

Thanks for breaking it down. This should be the next "Mami Vice". Big props to everyone evolved. A story, that some TV shows have tried to tell, but not as beautiful as this. It took me some time to get hooked. Episode over and over again. The story is really complicated and so amazing. Again, thanks for being the only one on KZbin for breaking it down.

[@josephswann5192]

Man, subscribed and bell hit for this one. I decided to randomly rewatch the show and wanted to hear someone else's thoughts and you shared probably the most insightful view into this weird world of this show. Thank you so much for this!

[@robind6179]

Thanks mate! Great, weird show isn't it.

[@sarahbey1304]

That is a really good review, thank you! It;s been a long time since I have seen it but I wish you spoke about that last scene where Diane and Viggo were eating their pie and Diane says "Someone is joining" but she doesn't know her name yet and I believe she was referring to Yaritza but we never got to confirm that ...

[@moneyshrine]

She definitely is yaritza.

[@theo.jovitch]

"fairly slow" that's the understatement of the year.

[@Kurosawa3]

Definitely challenging on that level, but not unlike the slow burn of some of his other works. OGF for example.

[@Kurosawa3]

Good indepth review. I just finished a Refn clip, 'THE ULTRAVIOLENCE OF REFN': kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIPNoKmZYrh6kMk

[@dfailsthemost]

It forces us to contemplate what we would think in each scenario.

[@charmicarmicat2981]

Idk man. once you give yourself to the pacing, it’s easily the best television shows I’ve ever seen.

[@parthkhare9960]

This is the best review of anything ever, the method, the format, the sections you've sieved to focus, thoroughly enjoyed! Personally it felt like neo-noiry echoes of Taxi Driver.

[@haybarnvideo]

Great analysis! Just finished last night. Floored. Still thinking about the ‘beings’.

[@dtebel]

I thought they were Martin thinking of Janey, and the silver and red motif being the last thing he saw as he looked towards Yaritza wearing the sunglasses and red lipstick. Vigo's mom tells Martin about what Vigo went through when he was shot in the head earlier in that episode so I sort of took it to be that Martin was preparing himself for like a psychic blast into the noosphere at the moment of his death. On the third day, he rose, so to speak.

[@dfailsthemost]

Liking this show is weird. I shouldn't like it but it really stuck with me. I had to really exercise patience. Hard to explain.

[@shirkosta5513]

thanks for your very interesting video!i loved this serie , so original, the tension is 13 hours present. i also think that the few times Martin was "good" he was punished, when he decides to save the girl in the desert and she stabs him or when he helps Damien and he reveals to Jesus Martin's identity as his mother's killer .... as if life force him to be bad in order to survive

[@Szlejer]

Just watched this series from my favorite director even if I'm late to the party by a few years. Thanks for the excellent review!

[@TheAndrewmcnelis]

This show blew me away. I thought it was fantastic.

[@vanbloot495]

Really enjoyed this analysis and your points about decadence, I think NWR also mentioned that the show evolved into a post-apocalyptic genre-based story. I really like the way you broke that up. Anyway, a great job really enjoyed this.

[@molly0000000s]

I am certain Refn went to Gosling for Martin, and he said no for obvious reasons. Which makes me respect Teller even more, never mind that it turned out he makes a more convincing schizoid.

[@micromero1379]

Nailed it. Great review. Loved the movie/series’ combination of the existential combined with nihilism. Captured a deep and interesting atmosphere of the nature of.humans at the crossroads of evolution.

[@robind6179]

Thanks mate. That's a good way of putting it - humans at the crossroads of evolution. I don't fully understand that big speech Viggo gives, but it's like he and the show are saying human technology, morality and religion are out of sync with nature/evolution somehow? I need to do a rewatch one day.

[@micromero1379]

Robin D Give it a few more months then try it again 👍

[@dtebel]

@@robind6179 Very influenced by Jodorowsky's view of the dawn of a new humanity.

[@dfailsthemost]

I think it can be refreshing to be engaged with a series despite not knowing exactly why it holds your attention.

[@cutwir3317]

Wow this was really an amazing video and a deeper analysis on the show I've seen thus far. Shows design and themes are so underrated .

[@1rwjwith]

I loved it but it is one of the most bizarre series ever and the most violent. It kind of had a narrative up until episode 8 then it went into kind of David Lynch on steroids ! More!

[@FTheGlobalists13]

Amazing analysis. Youre phenomenal at reading in between the lines. i picked up on a lot of little allegorical details and character insights that wouldve gone over my head. Thanks for further reinforcing my love for this series.

[@rawtaa8591]

Awesome analysis man. I couldn't identify why Martin spits and the father always snorts but now I do. Episode five and six were my favorite. And I think episode 6 is one of the best TV episodes of all time.

[@happytrailsgaming]

Don’t think I’ve ever been so uncomfortable watching a show and I love it for that reason 😂

[@joelwoodford5737]

great analysis, was devastated they aren't planning on doing a second season, it ended too abruptly for me and there were a lot of open strands left

[@bbegins10]

This is an excellent review! Great to see an intelligent take on this neglected series. One thing I’d add is that violence against/control of women is a consistent theme throughout. Femicide in Mexico is a huge issue (links to novel 2666) and the other nature theme is thus the female resistance to male violence.

[@mkipp271]

Great video, solid analysis. Looking forward to more!

[@Megelos]

I didn't knew it was the same director for neon demon, that explain the 'choice' of some scenes.

[@dariamorgendorffer7813]

Seriously, I'm a little late in the game since I didn't even know NWR did a tv series on Amazon. And I am usually pretty aware of the cultural scene of what's coming in. The fact that there are only a couple of reviews, indicates that someone didn't know how to market this or didn't want to. I wasn't sure I wanted to see it because NWR tends to relish in violence not to make us feel appalled by it, and it's frustrating. But, still love the work and after this video, I will watch this show. So thanks!

[@possessorofgreatness7620]

I'm confused about why nobody is talking about the conspiracy theories NWR throws in the show by radio and television news.

[@dtebel]

Don't forget the preacher in New Mexico.

[@taylorcheshire2512]

Incredible....the best review I think I could hope to imagine. Thank you.

[@dfailsthemost]

I think we can all agree, the segments featuring the homicide squad were the most straightforward (slowly shaking my head)

[@alexandersimonoff3992]

Its a magical fairytale!!! Masterpiece 🌿🌿🌿

[@dtebel]

I loved the transformation of Martin from a "Robber Knight" ransacking the countryside to an almost spiritual warrior under the guidance of Diana and Vigo. Then you realize he's a psychopath when Janey is interviewed by the detective about her missing father. Still he tried to help the girl buried alive in that box. There are parts of him that have a redemptive quality.

[@MrMCDERPINGTON]

i found after the 2nd episode it picks up a lot more. however after the first viewing you tend to ignore the pacing and find it pretty fast there on.

[@robind6179]

Yeah I agree, the first two are probably the slowest. I think Refn screened just eps 4 and 5 at Cannes? From memory those are the two where the action and narrative momentum pick up a bit. Love Mr Robot btw.

[@MrMCDERPINGTON]

@@robind6179 definitely, refn has a love for weird car scenes/ chases. the scene with them in the car changing the radio station was such an odd but hilarious moment and mr robot is amazing, waiting on the fourth season

[@893loses]

After rewatching episode two knowing where it was going I appreciate it a lot more. I think the perception of this show as a novel helps it a lot

[@bobharrison7184]

Episode 5 is a masterpiece and can stand alone as Refn’s best work in certain perspectives. So fucking good.

[@LeGronk]

solid analysis. this show's not for everyone but for some people, it hits just the right notes in your soul.

[@benjipkcrew]

I loved every minute of it uP to eP 9 then nearly threw my TV out the window after the finale. However I’m more at Peace with it now and even aPPreciate it. My frustration on a Purely story level came from never seeing the grand finale or showdown that I felt had been foreshadowed: Viggo dying and Diana needing a new hitman; Yaritza Killing Jesus or being found out by him; Diana finally meeting Yaritza and fulfilling Viggo’s role. But a) that wouldn’t have been very Refn and b) the fact that I was anticiPating all those things now maKes me Ponder whether they even had to be shown. Viggo is clearly about to succumb to cancer - his mother dying first could be seen as a blessing for him. End of arc. Diana is obviously troubled in the last eP - PerhaPs by Viggo’s imminent or off-screen demise. She is waiting for Yaritza and Knows she is coming. Maybe Yaritza Killed Jesus, maybe not. Maybe she was Playing him from the jumP and always Planned to eliminate him, maybe she liKed/loved him but saw he couldn’t be redeemed after his “raPe their sisters/theme ParK of Pain” sPeech, maybe she’s a weird non-human who Kills for reasons beyond our understanding and sees no contradiction in saving sex-slaves and raPe victims from the PimPs and raPists emPloyed by her husband and essentially by herself ... or maybe being in the Position of Cartel Wife allowed her to save more women than revealing herself would have. At any rate she has clearly crossed a threshold when she goes in to the brothel in broad daylight, asKs the girl to sing the song then guns down her husbands soldiers because they are, in her own words, “Part of that evil.” The Cartel will almost certainly find out who she is and what she is doing now and she seems cool with that. PerhaPs Jesus is already dead (I can’t remember if she was driving his Porsche?), PerhaPs he has men hunting for her who she will have to evade the rest of her days ... or PERHAPS all Jesus’ Perceived Power was coming directly from her and from their union. Perhaps she doesn’t even have to give him a second thought - and neither do we - because with her gone he will now be even more inePt and Powerless than after Magdalena died. Or not. Maybe she just KeePs domming Jesus with that whiP handle and feeding him his own jizz so he can walK out of the house in his Versace undies and order “more raPe, more murder, more Taco vendor brutality” liKe the big man he thinKs he is, ordering his soldiers in to more and more situations that will simPly end with the High Priestess Of Death PoPPing their sKulls liKe water-bombs, and never growing the wiser. Or maybe he’ll find out it’s her and feed Poor Yaritza to her family ... which I guess is him? (I laugh now when I thinK of her half-smiling as Jesus said that line.) I truly don’t Know, I can’t read Tarot. But now that I’ve written all this I liKe the ending more.

[@dtebel]

The apocalyptic showdown is foreshadowed through out the series, and Yaritza is the herald. In episode 9 Diana understands that Yaritza is coming, but doesn't know who she is. I don't know if Yaritza particularly cares for Americans either, she could be coming to basically kill everyone who isn't part of her tribe so to speak.

[@dfailsthemost]

Photography-wise, this series is quite a bit beyond many of its contemporaries.

[@coreytroup9818]

I think it all comes down to 2 women representing justice but at different cost destined to shape the world with catastrophic consequence

[@TheBeird]

I enjoyed this show . . . but I don't know why. Diane's last words about an approaching apocalypse is ringing very true right now though

[@azmodanpc]

I liked the cinematography, the plot, the characters, the Lynchian atmosphere. The pacing was a little off and some scenes did not require so many "pauses" between dialogue even if the intention was to create this otherwordly vibe.

[@The-Wolf-with-no-name]

My advice if anyone hasn't seen this is... start with episode 4 and finish with 8 but forget 1,2,3,9 and 10. Forget story or plot just appreciate the visuals and music.

[@JayHarvey_]

Beautifully shot like most of his films.

[@dfailsthemost]

Martin was puzzling. In Drive, I always found character motivations easy to determine. With Martin, it's perpetually complicated to me. Is he a violent psychopath who simultaneously struggles with not wantimg to be like the people he finds so disgusting?

[@luispena666]

Outstanding analysis.. thank you very much

[@dfailsthemost]

I don't think Jones is robotic. I think these character just think before they speak. They don't fill silence with conversation.

[@theawesomeduo54]

I took the dad's snorting and growling as hatred for martin.

[@dtebel]

He is a beast, like more animal than man. Refn repeated this motif in Copenhagen Cowboy with the character Sven who grunts and oinks like a pig when he talks.

[@shane_m_murphy]

Great video, helps to unravel the themes of the show. On the point of violence, sexuality, and the characters' control of both, one of martin's comments after killing theo, the murder he is genuinely disturbed by, is that he "thought he could control it". I think this strongly supports your analysis of the skewed "moral scale" of the show, as martin seems to have truly transgressed in the case of theo's murder and dies not too long after.

[@robind6179]

Ah good point, I'd forgotten that line. And yep the way he gets punished soon after seems important. It also felt like he was doomed once he lied to Diana about Janey - failing her ethics test in the pyramid thing

[@olegdepapa]

Speaking of morality Don Ricardo in ep2 is also interesting because he is like the old guard of the past, and some moral standings even for peace and aesthetics and cleanliness and role of men, which die with him.

[@dtebel]

That theme repeats itself with Martin becoming a livestream star (Cartel TV). He represents the old Hollywood/American way is devoured by Jesus. There is a strong foreshadowing of the death of America as a cultural force.

[@macksdecker2781]

Great video. Thanks for all the interesting thoughts. Keep it coming!

[@olsenje6]

First watch over the past week. This is an apt and enlightening analysis of an interesting show. A follow-up would be warranted simply from a socio-political aspect. All of the strictly humorous scenes have bearing on the currency of the show, as I understood it.

[@robind6179]

Thanks! There is definitely a lot more I didn't consider in this. I've since watched it again, and you're right, there is a lot of important use of dark comedy, and a contemporary political element I didn't touch on at all. I don't quite know what to make of a lot of these elements - like the homicide detectives - but it would be interesting to try.

[@goodtalker]

Very good series and analysis.....reminds me of Dennis Hopper work.

[@Nohagasdrogas]

You’re amazing. Thanks, for this.

[@jcbaily5559]

Anyone know how to get a copy of this DVD here in the US? Amazon doesn't have any copies. Having seen some Cartel Torture on the internet, Martin's whipping and beheading certainly follows along the cartels way of handling things but to mutilate such a beautiful body., when they could go in other directions?

[@DjangoPorter]

hey budd ! great job here i really enjoyed ur take on all this

[@scott96999]

Love the surreal, subconscious symbolism, and through the first 8 volume's I was thinking "this is fucking genius" but the unbelievably underwhelming ending undid all the brilliant work leading up to... basically nothing. If that was an intentionally subversive attempt at some sort of meta-statement then I'm on Friedkin's side...

[@robind6179]

Yeah the last two were the weakest weren't they. Didn't undo the first 8 for me, but it was a bit of a letdown. William Friedkin? What did he say?

[@scott96999]

@@robind6179 Friedkin mocked Refn in an interview for claiming Only God Forgives is a masterpiece, and asked for a doctor to check his brain. Pretty funny, look it up.

[@robind6179]

@@scott96999 I've just seen it haha. That's great.

[@IvanTheHeathen]

11:12 -- Martin's spitting reminded me a lot of heroes in Westerns spitting tobacco. The typical hero in a Western is very much like Martin: stoic, laconic, capable of violence. To me, _Too Old to Die Young_ was, at least in part, a modernized Western. I'm surprised you didn't draw that connection.

[@djkush]

Thanks for that. Cleared up a lot of confusion!

[@kevindorn2508]

Viggo is also riding on a white horse and one eye is gone. Both things written about the coming antichrist in the bible. Hes described as the first horseman on a white horse and later gets attacked in the face and loses sight in one eye.

[@dtebel]

Martin drives a Red Mustang (Horse) to hunt the Crocket brothers in New Mexico. Could have been luck of the draw but so many things about this show seem to align with ecclesiastic mythology.

[@buzzlightyear3357]

Personally it’s my favorite show I’ve watched all of his work except bleeder anyone know where I can get it

[@rorybarber5076]

There might be a DVD with English subs, otherwise you gotta pirate it I'm afraid, it's horribly distributed.

[@dfailsthemost]

Is Jesus's head rubbing just a manifestation of the feeling of his mother's hand comforting him?

[@robind6179]

Ah I hadn't thought about it, but that sounds right! I can't remember if we see her holding/caressing his head in any visions/flashbacks?

[@dfailsthemost]

@@robind6179 Not that I can remember. But I feel like someone else did the same thing very conspicuously at some point.

[@commanderrussels2612]

Fantastic analysis m8

[@kabugolawrence6449]

The best show

[@michaelhansen9403]

At times I thought this series was at least partially created or possibly written by ai because it gets so obscure. I also found myself laughing hysterically at possibly inappropriate times.

[@Sludag]

Thanks for making the series seem a little more cohesive. I really liked the atmosphere and cinematography, plot was promising, and I didn't mind the signature Refn pacing, but the last two episodes ruined it for me. It suddenly became very Lynch-esque, indeed, more surreal and less realistic, characters started to act like it's Only God Forgives. The ideas that were articulated openly were just too stupid (Jesus), inappropriate (Diana) or shallow (Yaritza), so I hoped that none of them is what NWR meant (if anything).

[@robind6179]

I agree the last two eps are noticeably weaker. Refn seems to talk about it like he used up most of the budget and his ideas on the first 8, and then just wrapped it up too quickly, letting other writers take over for the last couple. There are still bits I like in the last two though, and they don't undo/ruin the other 8 for me.

[@dtebel]

I think that Refn might have been losing his mind at that point. Most TV shows are directed by teams of directors and have writing teams who alternate odd & even episodes (or used to until the mini-room model became prevalent). Refn was actively writing, directing, and editing a series himself with collaborators for 10 months, not including pre production and post. For someone who cut their teeth on feature films that's a massive psychic undertaking.

[@dfailsthemost]

Thanks for this video.

[@thenakedsingularity]

It's like a david lynch imitation. It's stylish, but the violence doesn't seem to serve a purpose.

[@00Jay215]

27:25 What is the name of this show he compares it too? I couldn't quite catch it.

[@robind6179]

Twin Peaks: The Return

[@00Jay215]

@@robind6179 Thanks for the response. I havn't gotten into Twin Peaks at all yet. Maybe I'll have to check it out. I really liked this show though, I got some slight Fargo vibes too.

[@TheGililgi]

Fuck we not get a winding refn project till 2022 2023 .😔

[@dfailsthemost]

The show literally forced me to slow my thoughts down.

[@dfailsthemost]

In a good way

[@dtebel]

Right?! I started to watch the show in a similar state of mind to looking at paintings or photos at a museum. Very refreshing when compared to the "In-Your-Face" style of most movies and social media.

[@adamg545]

Will you do Copenhagen Cowboy?

[@robind6179]

Yeah if I like it I will. I haven't watched any yet. Any good?

[@dtebel]

@@robind6179 Not bad, interesting to see Refn return to Denmark. It is also a fairytale; wicked stepmother/sisters, a big bad wolf, aristocratic vampire family. Definitely didn't have the budget of TOtDY but is very much a Refn flick. More indulgent without the pay offs of some of his other works.

[@beaujoleau]

nice review. plans for copenaghen cowboy review?

[@dtebel]

🐽🐷🐖

[@DjangoPorter]

i fucking loved every minute of this one although i admit it took me 3 or 4 times to get past the firat 30 min witjout falling aslleep.....i was really ...... but once i got past that i watched every minute and was bunmed out when it ended

[@dtebel]

I definitely got stoned a few times watching this show and had to rewind entire scenes. By episode 4 I had decided to pay full attention to the screen.

[@royceedwards1910]

great job dude !

[@maximusmfg]

Anyone know when this comes out on Blu-ray?

[@rorybarber5076]

I'm pretty sure there's no planned release.

[@maximusmfg]

@@rorybarber5076 that'll suck if they don't release it

[@rorybarber5076]

@@maximusmfg Ikr I would jump on that shit immediately.

[@yigit2332]

i really liked this review.

[@JTMsish]

It was too pretentious for me. There's so much I would have left on the cutting room floor. Some of the ideas were over explained. The dialogue at times came across as too artificial - the "alright fellas, rape him" bit that opens the brothers episode. The visuals are stunning but grate due to how long they linger. Maybe I prefer a more natural plot in this sort of setting because the last few episodes ventured pretty far into the realms of ridiculousness (the "there's a city's worth of pedos and rapists in a caravan palace only a few blocks away" bit was particularly annoying). Diana seems to just forget her own morality in the last episode. The blood and guts were romanticised in parts (the first brother's death along with his lady mate in particular). The brooding antisocial stoic nature of Martin was pretty brutal, waiting seconds that feel like hours to hear an "I don't know" got frustrating. I feel like Jesus' character arc was probably the best of the show but it was only half resolved. I didn't really care for the High Priestess of Death, it was just another one of those "revenge bitch" roles from a grindhouse movie. I don't think there were enough original ideas to really give it much in the way of artistic credit. It was way too long, spoon-fed way too much of the narrative, and couldn't figure out it's own characters. The introduction to Theo I think was the best episode (3 I think). Some of the shock-factors were masterfully done (the demise of Damien was particularly gripping). I'm only kind of glad I watched it but I don't think I'd recommend this to anyone I actually like. Maybe to one of those hipsters that thinks everything made with effort is art.

[@robind6179]

That is fair. Obviously I like it a lot more than you do, but I get all those criticisms. Agree the caravan park of rapists was a low point, and Damien's demise a high point. Also agree with the point about some of the dialogue feeling artificial/redundant.

[@JTMsish]

@@robind6179 I feel like if you gave this idea to Robert Eggers it would've gripped me more. I just found it was a message too simple made way too complex.

[@alexgarnett7911]

Keep it up bro

[@pandaoneproductionsd9765]

What was Taylor Hill’s part about?

[@caseyhouser9839]

Unreal show

[@ar8670]

you didn't mention Bronson! Not mad, just reallllly wanna make sure you've seen that if you haven't.

[@robind6179]

I haven't! I love Hardy and I love Refn tho. So I'd better see it asap?

[@ar8670]

@@robind6179 Absolutely! It's definitely a pre-Drive film for Refn, so it's a chance to see a different aesthetic from him. And it's mandatory viewing if you consider yourself a Tom Hardy fan!

[@thestendhalsyndrome]

Bronson is a fuckin great movie. I'd like to see Hardy work with Refn again

[@banebasara53]

Dude bravo!

[@Jefcostello-1]

Great analysis, you reckon their be a second series?

[@robind6179]

Thanks! Nah I don't think so. Refn says he's working on something new now

[@antoniobradiano]

fucking hope not. If a perfect example when no one has good ideas.

[@dtebel]

I don't think the Hollywood suits at Amazon were entirely thrilled to make a show about vigilantes killing pedophiles in Los Angeles.

[@xmintyninjax]

The last episode was only 30min!

[@Nomo_Popo]

Nice

[@pultstanzionarniy5188]

very good vid

[@FingerBrokenBranches]

Didnt know i had a femdom fetish until i saw Yaritza