The film begins with a stunning and disturbing 12-minute sequence depicting the brutal rape of Alex by a group of thugs in a nightclub toilet. The viewer is subjected to a lingering and unflinching gaze at the brutal act, which sets the tone for the rest of the film. The trauma of the event sends Alex and Marco into a downward spiral of despair, anger, and desperation.
The film also explores the complex interplay between memory, identity, and narrative. As Marco and Alex struggle to make sense of their experiences, their recollections of the event begin to blur and distort, reflecting the instability of memory and the subjective nature of truth. irreversible 2002 internet archive