For around a decade, Terrence Malick was seen as something between an auteur maverick and a lost genius. His films simply weren’t what they could have been after The Tree of Life. It was made even weirder that he became weirdly prolific so late in life, but this all changed again in 2019 with A Hidden Life, an absolutely perfect film which dealt with pacifism and obligation. It’s a gorgeous film which saw Malick approach religion in an all-consuming way. 

Religion is one of those subjects that divide audiences. Some people just won’t go to see a film about faith, and that’s fine, but they might want to reconsider that stance in the face of Malick’s next film, The Way of the Wind,

Known for his poetic and philosophical style, Malick embarks on an epic biblical drama, retelling the story of Jesus Christ. This film marks another ambitious project by Malick, whose previous works like The Thin Red Line, The New World, and The Tree of Life have garnered critical acclaim for their profound storytelling and visual splendour.

The film stars Géza Röhrig in the pivotal role of Jesus Christ, with Mark Rylance intriguingly cast as Satan. The cast also includes Matthias Schoenaerts as Saint Peter, Philip Arditti as Hosea, and Leila Hatami as Mary Magdalene, among others, featuring a mix of well-known actors and fresh faces. 

The Way of the Wind began production in 2019, filming in diverse locations such as Anzio, Italy, and Iceland. The film’s development journey reflects Malick’s meticulous approach to filmmaking. Known for his lengthy editing processes, Malick’s work on this film has kept fans and critics eagerly anticipating its release. The film’s editing phase, as of mid-2023, indicates a possible premiere at Cannes in 2024.

Malick’s interpretation of biblical stories, including elements from the Book of Job, promises a fresh perspective on familiar narratives. His previous work, The Tree of Life, has already explored similar themes, blending human drama with spiritual contemplation. In The Way of the Wind, Malick reunites with Franz Rogowski and director of photography Jörg Widmer, suggesting that the film will continue Malick’s tradition of stunning, naturally-lit cinematography.

The film’s score, composed by Eleni Karaindrou, known for her work with Theo Angelopoulos, is something to get excited about. This aspect is particularly interesting, given Malick’s reputation for using music to elevate the emotional impact of his narratives. Despite a general lack of promotion, anticipation is high.

Release Date: Unknown

Will It Be Any Good?

It’s certainly not clear if the film will be as philosophically introspective as A Hidden Life or if it will be more disjointed like Song to Song. As such, it’s hard to predict if this film will be ‘good’ or not. But everything Malick film is interesting to watch. He is perhaps the greatest American director ever, pound to pound, and his lack of consistency is the only reason why he isn’t generally seen as such.

As a religious film it’s going to have an uphill battle getting an even-handed shake of it. Ultimately, I’m looking forward to the movie as it sees an auteur take on a personal subject in a unique way. 

Will It Be Worth Watching? Maybe