The accoutrements of power are telling -- flying in his military cape Pinochet is a fascist superhero -- and Larrain’s gory filmmaking is equally effective as historic prosecution or a macabre fantasy.

The film’s political outlook is a little fuzzy, but it bleeds pure, righteous bitterness. Larraín jumps at the chance to turn political ideology into a literal horror show.

Ed Lachman's cinematography is just luscious. It is just incredibly, richly beautiful in black and white.

The film transcends the boundaries of Chile’s past, serving as a reflection on how societies worldwide grapple with power, evil, and challenging historical legacies.