When "The Painted Bird" premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2019, audiences tried to leave the theatre because of the gruesome scenes in the film.

Just like the novel of the same name, the film divides its viewers. Critics claim it's a masterpiece while others cannot stand the horrifying depiction of child abuse. Despite seeing the purpose of its dark tones and admiring the acting chops of the young lead actor, it feels like the movie is filled with gratuitous violence for three grueling hours.

In an unknown part of Eastern Europe near the end of World War II, a Jewish boy (phenomenally played by 13-year-old Petr Kotlár) lives with his elderly aunt after his persecuted parents flee. One day, the old woman dies and the boy is forced to wander the countryside by himself meeting a menagerie of good and bad people alike with each village he encounters. He suffers extraordinarily brutal horrors throughout the entire film, but he also meets kind souls along the way that remind him that there's hope in this cruel world.

The Painted Bird - Official Trailer I HD I IFC Filmswww.youtube.com

It's easy to tell why the film is presented in 35 mm. It's an art form to show how black and white the horrors of the world are. As stark as the images are, so is the blackened blood that runs from each violent act. The cinematography is beautifully shot with all kinds of angles that place viewers in this world. However, it feels like the gore is gratuitous and takes away from the message creators are trying to deliver.

The film slams audiences within the first scene as The Boy is attacked by peasant kids who steal his pet ferret from his hands and burns the poor creature alive. It rolls on the ground and squeals as it dies. That's when audiences know this will not be a typical movie for the average viewer, and it's definitely not a movie for the faint of heart and animal lovers.

But if that doesn't sound bad enough, wait for the other themes of bestiality, rape, incest, mutilation and more. How likely is it really that The Boy would run into every possible bad situation on the planet? It doesn't feel believable, and it feels like the movie is doing this for shock factor when really they're trying to send a message that the world is a bad place.

To counter those struggles in the world, The Boy meets some good people who teach him valuable lessons like a German soldier (Stellan Skarsgård), a priest (Harvey Keitel) and a Russian sniper (ironically played by Barry Pepper who also played a sniper in "Saving Private Ryan").

Whether movie-goers enjoy the film or not, it is unforgettably raw. Despite being a World War II-period movie, these issues can happen at any point in history.

And that's the most disturbing part of all.

Score: 3/10

"The Painted Bird" is available on VOD platforms starting on Friday, July 17.

Contact Samantha Incorvaia on Twitter at @_SamI520.