When we first meet Katja (Diane Kruger), the protagonist of "In The Fade" she seems to have it all. Living a comfortable lifestyle in Hamburg with her loving husband and son, she has no worries. In the blink of an eye, all that is taken away in this gut-wrenching revenge thriller from Fatih Akin.

A harrowing act of terrorism sets the plot in motion as Katja's husband and son are inexplicably killed by a nail bomb explosion. To make matters worse, she learns that they were the specific targets of the attack. As she attempts to cope with her grief, the authorities ask for clues to the possible motives. Katja suspects neo-nazi involvement (her husband was Kurdish) but in the subsequent trial, the defense team brings up her husband's checkered past as well as her own flaws. For Katja however, the culprits are obvious and she will stop at nothing to ensure that justice is served.

Indeed, it doesn't take rocket science to figure out that Katja is a woman should not be provoked. With her badass tattoos and coke-snorting tendencies, the script quickly conveys the character's toughness. Furthermore, Kruger's piercing death stare commands any room she's in.

The script doesn't waste time in plot development either. The film is divided into 3 parts, focusing separately on the attack, the trial, and the aftermath. And through the efficient storytelling and the skilfull editing, "In The Fade" thus transforms seamlessly from gut-wrenching tragedy to a lean, propulsive revenge thriller.

As the revenge plot unfolds, both the script and Kruger's nuanced performance add some complexity to the character's moral standing. But there's never any doubt whose side we should be on. Akin truly exalts Kruger in the role of her career, giving the audience intimate access to her deep pain in often excruciating detail. During the trial scenes, for example, you can empathize with her simmering rage as the gory details of "melted eyes" and "severed limbs" are revealed. As a result, she becomes a relatable heroine whose mission we become fully invested in.

And yet, "In The Fade" still finds ways to challenge and surprise us. The final chapter is especially striking in the thoughtful way it raises some essential questions. Primarily, do we need to become monsters ourselves to rid the world of evil? Katja's final solution certainly won't appease everyone. But it raises a debate that gives a timely, soul-searching power to this standout film.

GRADE: (★★★½)

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| MOTION PICTURE | DIRECTOR |
| LEAD ACTOR | LEAD ACTRESS | SUPPORTING ACTOR | SUPPORTING ACTRESS | 
| ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY | ADAPTED SCREENPLAY | ANIMATED FEATURE |
| PRODUCTION DESIGN | CINEMATOGRAPHY | COSTUME DESIGN | FILM EDITING | MAKEUP & HAIRSTYLING | SOUND MIXING | SOUND EDITING | VISUAL EFFECTS |
| ORIGINAL SCORE | ORIGINAL SONG |

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