Phoenix rises in return to form

Master.

Phoenix has always been at his best playing morally ambiguous, perturbed characters and this nuanced, internal-driven display is his finest since he nailed Johnny Cash in 2005’s Walk the Line.

Any doubts about his ability to match up to Liam Neeson, Denzel Washington and Co’s physicality are quickly superseded as his bulked-up frame batters, bruises and breaks a collection of thugs out to put an end to him and Nina.

But forget cheesy scenes set atop trains or people walking away from car crashes scratchfree while spouting trailer-friendly one-liners, Ramsay has more subtle, clever ways of framing her action.

Not many directors would use grainy security camera footage for one of their movie’s biggest showdowns, but it’s clever decisions like that which set Ramsay apart.

Joe also suffers from visions of his past that enables Ramsay to combine lighting, sound design and clever camera work to superb effect.

It’s very weighty, troubling stuff that will test your ability to handle drama at its darkest and you do occasionally pine for a small break from the intensity.

However, this is a story – and a life – that would feel totally off-kilter and unrealistic coated with random injections of forced humour or cutesy character interactions.

A revenge thriller unlike any other, You Were Never Really Here is another triumph from Ramsay and a welcome return to the big time for a focused Phoenix.