Katalin Varga review

A Romanian woman treks the mountains looking for revenge...

Why you can trust GamesRadar+ Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about our reviews policy.

The eponymous Katalin is a Romanian peasant woman (played by Hilda Péter) who, banished by her husband, is travelling by horse and cart with young son Orbán (Norbert Tankó) through the Carpathian mountains.

Her quest? To find and take revenge on the two men who raped her in a forest years earlier. But then she discovers that one of her attackers, Antal (Tibor Pálffy), is now a devoted family man…

Remarkably, this isn’t the work of a seasoned eastern European filmmaker, but the feature debut of thirtysomething British director/scripter/ producer Peter Strickland.

Deliberately paced, it has the timeless, brooding quality of a tragic folk tale, in which violence begets more violence. Strickland builds and sustains an ominous atmosphere through stark images, artfully heightened sound design and an otherworldly score.

He’s not the only first-timer who dazzles – newcomer Péter brings fierce commitment to her avenging-angel role.

Latest in Documentaries
The Wolf of Wall Street
The 32 greatest Leonardo DiCaprio movies
Grand Theft Hamlet
Video game theater reaches the next level in Grand Theft Hamlet, a GTA Online Shakespeare production where even the director can be killed
Hammer Films - The Heroes, Legends And Monsters
Late Star Wars actor Peter Cushing being brought back by AI for new documentary
The Life and Deaths of Christopher Lee
The Life and Deaths of Christopher Lee review: "A revealing exploration of a big screen icon"
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story (2024)
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story review – "A moving portrait of a true-life hero"
The Remarkable Life of Ibelin | Official Trailer | Netflix
New Netflix documentary about a terminally ill player’s devotion to World of Warcraft gets touching first trailer showing the power of online community
Latest in Reviews
Acer Nitro V 14 gaming laptop on a wooden desk
Acer Nitro V 14 review: "a solid value proposition… if you can find one"
Alienware Pro Wireless gaming keyboard in a desk setup
Alienware Pro Wireless gaming keyboard review: "a nostalgic return to mechanical form"
Photo taken by writer Rosalie Newcombe of the OXS Storm G2 wireless gaming headset sitting on a black shelf with a gray background.
OXS Storm G2 wireless gaming headset review - a budget headset that kicks up a storm with its unique look, but not with its sound
The Logitech G RS Wheel Hub next to its track wheel
Logitech G RS Wheel Hub review: " Takes the excellent G Pro to an even greater place"
NZXT Lift Elite Wireless gaming mouse on a standing upright on a wooden gaming desk with purple lighting
NZXT Lift Elite Wireless review: "a fantastic option for those steering clear of luxury prices"
A Manba One review image showing the controller in its charging stand with its display on
Manba One review: “The power of a PC app in the palm of your hand”