Believe it or not, but Silence is actually my favorite Martin Scorsese movie I’ve seen to-date. Granted, I have only watched about a third of his filmography, but nonetheless, I want to write about this one. Primarily, this is definitely a crisis-of-faith film. It shows a man completely confident in Christianity and living his life out as Jesus did, but through his deep faith he becomes blind to those around him.

It tells the story of two Jesuit priests in the 1600s who travel to Japan to investigate the rumor that their teacher has given up on religion. As they go deeper into Japan, the more their faith is tested. This is a thoughtful, unsettling and uncompromising meditation on Christianity, faith in general, and how far to take that confidence in religion. Scorsese, who has stated that this was a passion project of his, tells this story masterfully. It’s a painfully honest, brutal and contemplative journey that asks some interesting questions. Where was God during all of this brutality? Should my followers die before stepping on their religion? Are people who renounce their religion below me? This is a harrowing experience that isn’t for the faint of heart, and it’s a smart, sophisticated one too. It isn’t afraid to ask these things despite knowing harsh criticism will come.

In terms of my actual opinion, this is an underrated masterpiece. The performances from Adam Driver, Liam Neeson, and especially Andrew Garfield give off such a profound sense of realism and power that I’ve really never seen before. Artistically, from the editing, to the cinematography, and the overall respect Scorsese gives for the story’s touching subject are all sublime. Seriously, the acting is simply phenomenal, and I do strongly believe that Garfield should have won Best Actor in 2016. The film’s greatest triumph, however, is how it explores Christianity. I don’t consider myself a religious person, but the fact is, the movie doesn’t make God, Jesus, or even the religion itself the focal point. Instead, it hammers in the themes of belief, a belief against all odds. Opposing the threats of violence, sacrifice, persecution, and ultimately, silence. It makes it so that even people like myself, who don’t have a personal connection to religion, can completely appreciate it. Martin Scorsese is a clear master at his craft, and this is simply another example of that.