How do we reconcile our suffering? How do we deal with pain and fear? The fear brought on by our memories, the uncertain, the uncontrollable, physical and mental trauma or deterioration, and death?
Do we accept them as inevitabilities in life? Do we take responsibility for our actions? Do we uphold tried and tested practices? Do we distract ourselves? Do we turn to a higher power? Do we embrace or blame those around us? Blame ourselves? Descend into madness?

Ingmar Bergman paints a bleak depiction of faith, suffering, and the psyche of a woman with this fantastic, if very hard to watch at times, film. All of the performances are incredibly powerful, with each character serving as different responses to the pains of existence, alongside many other possible interpretations ranging from biblical to psychoanalytic. The person who may deserve the most credit, however, would have to be the cinematographer Sven Nykvist. Every shot looks like a painting, and the contrast in colors is phenomenal.

I can see why the film is somewhat divisive, with it’s disturbing scenes and motifs that one way love or hate, but I absolutely adored this film and I highly recommend to any fans of Bergman who have yet to give this one a shot.