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This is done for good reason, and with no small amount of skill.

Through a particularly amusing set of circumstances, Miki's back alley beatdown ends up on YouTube, resulting in his demotion. But it doesn't stop him from continuing to intimidate Dror, and with his boss' blessing. At the same time, the victim's father (Tzahi Grad) has purchased a cabin in the wilderness, and retrofitted the basement like a medieval torture chamber. He intends to kidnap Dror from police custody and force the man who “allegedly” killed his daughter to confess the truth. Meanwhile, all the accusation and intimidation has caused Dror's life to crumble as his students, coworkers and even family turn against him. He has an estranged wife, and a daughter similar in age to the girl who died - so he couldn't be the killer…right? What if this guy is innocent, and the police - and the father - are making a mistake?

And that's what this movie does to you. It never lets you forget what’s at stake, but it also never stops distracting you with ethical ambiguity. The police have no real evidence, so it’s hard to know how to feel about the zeal with which they pursue their man (but an innocent child was tortured and killed). We sympathize with the father’s anguish and want to see justice done, but what if he’s about to torture the wrong man (but what if he’s not)? We are especially meant to ask ourselves these things as father and cop finally clash over the opportunity to torture a confession out of Dror, as he tearfully - intellectually - argues they have the wrong man. And when the torture commences, both captors, an unexpected visitor, and you the viewer must come to grips with the morality of what you're seeing.

Keshales and Papushado expect you to have a strong stomach, but they're also asking you to check yourself in the mirror - without trying to tell you what you should see. Most of us will carry out of Big Bad Wolves what we take into it, but chances are the things that go through your head while watching this movie will surprise you. The undercurrent of ironic humor is always present but the grim backdrop of torture, loss of innocence and fundamental morality combine to play dirty tricks with your values. And in the end, when most of the questions are answered, you may find yourself wondering whether doing evil to punish evil means that evil wins either way. The final scene in this film will be with you for some time and if it isn’t, then you’re obviously a danger to yourself and others.

There are so many things going on in this movie, and on so many layers, it's impossible to cover them all without boring you into a state of permanent insanity. I would just suggest that if and when you have a chance to see this film you do so, and I dare you to tell me you aren't still thinking about it a few days later. Big Bad Wolves isn’t perfect, (because only Goodfellas and Ghostbusters are perfect) but it’s a very, very strong effort and I highly suggest you remember the names Aharon Keshales and Navot Papushado. Even if you can’t pronounce them, write them down somewhere - because I guarantee you haven’t heard the last of them.

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