Rev·e·nant: a person who has returned, especially supposedly from the dead

"The Revenant" is a grim and bleak film that puts the audience through hell and back from beginning to end.

For the second year in a row, Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu has chosen to direct yet another visual phenomenon. After last year’s "Birdman," he proves to be one of the greatest directors of all time. He manages to capture the audience’s attention less than five minutes into the film and keeps it that way until the very last scene. "The Revenant" is loosely based off of the true account of Hugh Glass and Michael Punke’s novel, "The Revenant: A Novel of Revenge."

Set in the 1820s frontier, Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a skilled fur trapper and hunter along with his half-native son, Hawk (Forrest Goodluck). Glass helps Captain Andrew Henry (Domhnall Gleeson) lead a group of fur trappers who were recently attacked by Arikara Indians. When Glass is brutally mauled by a bear and left in critical condition, John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy) and Jim Bridger (Will Poulter) agree to stay behind and give him a proper burial, along with Hawk. Soon enough, Fitzgerald gets tired of waiting and kills Glass’ son and attempts to bury Glass alive. Driven by rage to stay alive and avenge his son’s murder, Glass begins his long journey. This is a story about a man versus the elements.

Iñárritu does an impressive job and it would come as no surprise if he won the Academy Award for Best Director. His attention to detail is superb. Emmanuel Lubezki’s ("Birdman," "Gravity") cinematography is astonishing.This is unquestionably one of the most beautiful films of this generation. The long shots of the surrounding scenery are absolutely breathtaking. Only natural lighting was used during filming, making the movie look even more beautiful and authentic. Not a single shot feels wasted in this two and a half hour long film. The cast is absolutely incredible. DiCaprio gives an outstanding performance for a character that barely has any lines. He really gives it his all. Hardy is great as the cowardly and selfish antagonist, and Domhnall Gleeson performs well as the honorable captain of the hunting regiment.

At times, this film can make viewers feel like they are with Glass, suffering and barely surviving. For some, it can be very difficult to watch such a film with so much gore. The angles which Iñárritu uses make me glad this film is not available in 3D—it was hard enough to watch in 2D. This is definitely a must-see movie, but be warned, it is not for the faint of heart.