Carnage: A Turbulent Tea Party of Epic Proportions

Imagine inviting two bickering cats to a coffee and expecting peace. That’s “Carnage” for you, folks. Directed by Roman Polanski, this film is a whirlwind visit into civilized chaos. We’re talking about Nancy and Alan Cowan played brilliantly by Kate Winslet and Christoph Waltz—who, by the way, is absolutely crackin’ in his role—and our hosts Penelope and Michael Longstreet, portrayed by Jodie Foster and John C. Reilly. Real powerhouses, these folks. It’s like watching kung fu, but with words.

Now, look, the film’s set entirely in a Brooklyn apartment, and yet, somehow, it manages to be as gripping as a drama set in, let’s say, Gamla Stan. You sense the tension simmer right beneath the polite grimaces, much like how you feel at a family get-together when someone brings up politics. Swedish Midsummer vibes but with more sarcasm and discontent.

So here’s a funny bit—back in the ’90s, I had a little tiff with a neighbor over whose dog trampled on whose tulips. I felt a twinge of déjà vu while watching “Carnage.” Maybe conflicts writ small feel more universal, eh? The film nails this. Why? Maybe it’s Polanski’s knack for squeezing drama from nothing more than, well, life’s little disputes and the personalities that fuel them.

Okay, but does it work? Mostly. The dialogue is sharp, the laughs genuinely unexpected, though sometimes I ponder whether the film is too close to reality. There was a moment there where I went, “Blimey, it almost feels a bit too much. Can’t they just have fika and chill?”

In essence, “Carnage” is a ride into the absurd capability of adults to act like squabbling kids. Worth a watch, especially if you’re craving some top-notch performances along with a side of uncomfortable chuckles. Bring popcorn if you must, but maybe leave the judgment at home.

Check the trailer below