Wil

2023 [DUTCH]

Action / Drama / History / War

14
IMDb Rating 6.8/10 10 7379 7.4K

Plot summary

Two young police officers find themselves torn between collaboration and resistance as they navigate the Nazi-occupied Antwerp during World War II.

Director

Tim Mielants Photo
Tim Mielants

Top cast

Dirk Roofthooft Photo
Dirk Roofthooft as Felix Verschaffel
Pit Bukowski Photo
Pit Bukowski as Feldgendarm
Matteo Simoni Photo
Matteo Simoni as Lode Metdepenningen
Kevin Janssens Photo
Kevin Janssens as Vincent Vindevogel
720p.WEB 1080p.WEB
1.02 GB
986*720
Dutch 2.0
NR
Subtitles nl   us   ar   cz   dk   de   gr   es   fi   fr   il   hr   hu   id   it   ja   kr   ms   no   pl   pt   ro   sv   th   tr   uk   vi   cn  
24 fps
1 hr 54 min
Seeds 2
2.1 GB
1440*1052
Dutch 5.1
NR
Subtitles nl   us   ar   cz   dk   de   gr   es   fi   fr   il   hr   hu   id   it   ja   kr   ms   no   pl   pt   ro   sv   th   tr   uk   vi   cn  
24 fps
1 hr 54 min
Seeds 5

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by paul-allaer 7 / 10

Nazi occupation drama from Flanders, Belgium

As "Wil" (2023 release from Belgium; 114 min.) opens, we are in "Antwerp, 1942", and the Nazi have occupied the city. We are introduced to Wil and Lode, 2 guys who have just joined the ranks of the Antwerp police. They loathe the Germans but are forced to work with them... At this point we are 10 minutes into the movie.Couple of comments: this is the latest from writer-producer-director Tim Mielants, bringing the best-selling novel of the same name by Jeroen Olyslaegers to the big screen. I have not read the book and hence cannot comment how closely the film stick to the book. What I do know is this: this is a hard-hitting movie about the moral dilemmas of people who are put into an. Impossible position. Beware: there are several scenes of violence and worse that are sure to make you feel uncomfortable. There is no sugarcoating of what life was like under Nazi occupation. As a complete aside: I hail from Antwerp, Belgium (but now a longtime resident in the US) and I can't help but feel a little disappointed how little of the actual city is shown in the movie. "Wil" was a runaway success in Flanders, Belgium last year (sold the most tickets of any film released there in 2023; also just swept the local equivalent of the Oscars)."Wil" premiered in Belgium last September, and it just started streaming on Netflix here. If you are in the mood for a tense movie that is heavy on moral issues of Nazi occupation in WWII, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.
Reviewed by fortruthto 8 / 10

WIL: A Riveting Exploration of Moral Dilemmas in Wartime

"WIL" is a fascinating and profound cinematic experience set in war-torn Antwerp during World War II. At its heart is the story of Wilfried Wils, a police officer confronted with intense and often heart-wrenching moral dilemmas. The film, enhanced by the impressive and immersive performances of Stef Aerts and the rest of the cast, not only brings a critical period in history to life but also casts a sharp light on the complexity of human choices in times of conflict.The cinematography and production design are remarkable, capturing the dark, sometimes oppressive atmosphere of occupied Antwerp beautifully. This contributes to the sense of urgency and the emotional depth of the film. However, what truly sets "WIL" apart is its timeless relevance. In an era where the world is becoming increasingly polarized, the film offers an important mirror for contemporary viewers. It invites profound reflection on good and evil, and on the strength and vulnerability of humans in extreme situations."WIL" is a film that not only entertains but also challenges and inspires. It is an essential viewing experience for anyone interested in the complexity of human nature, moral quandaries, and the impact of historical events on personal choices. Highly recommended, especially for fans of historical dramas and thought-provoking films.
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