Exploring Desire and Mercy in 'Misericordia'

Hello, this is a cultural report on the film 'Misericordia' (미세리코르디아), which premiered on July 16, 2025. If you're a movie fan who dislikes clichés and deception, this film is for you. It delves deep into hidden desires and offers a raw exploration of human emotions. If you enjoy narratives that start off subtly but leave you feeling like you've been hit over the head by the end, then 'Misericordia' is waiting for you. The film features intriguing dialogues such as, 'Are you wanting to be with my mom?' and 'Are you wanting to be with me?' Our protagonist, Jérémie, frequently encounters a priest while foraging for mushrooms in the woods. Was it mere coincidence? As secrets buried beneath the leaves are uncovered, the film invites you into a world where desire reigns supreme.

The title 'Misericordia' may sound unfamiliar. It took me a while to get used to it, but it translates from Latin to mean mercy or compassion. What is this mercy and compassion directed towards? The answer lies with our main character, Jérémie. The film opens with him driving down a rural road to attend the funeral of his former bakery boss. After the service, he decides to stay a few more days, welcomed by the boss's widow. Jérémie finds himself staring intently at an old photo of the deceased in a swimsuit, leading to a conversation with the widow about love and unspoken confessions. The boss's son, Vincent, confronts Jérémie, accusing him of having feelings for his mother, which escalates into a physical altercation in the woods. However, this fight feels more charged with energy than typical aggression. Enter the priest, a mushroom foraging expert who seems to take a keen interest in Jérémie. If you're confused, you're reading it right—'Misericordia' is a film where all characters are intertwined with desire.

Desire is the central theme of 'Misericordia.' Just as desire does not adhere to a measuring tape, the motivations of Jérémie and the surrounding characters do not operate on straightforward logic. Directed and written by Alain Guiraudie, who is known for his explorations of sexuality, desire, death, and violence, the film encourages viewers to break open the vault of suppressed desires and peer inside. Guiraudie's unique vision has captivated many cinephiles.

For instance, his film 'The King of Escape' tells the story of a middle-aged gay man who falls in love with a young girl. If that sounds perplexing, you're not alone. His acclaimed film 'Stranger by the Lake' features gay men seeking partners in a forest where all desires are unleashed, showcasing characters searching for values beyond mere sexuality. In 'Misericordia,' the priest embodies this role, delivering a powerful performance in the latter part of the film that likely left the set in a solemn atmosphere. This priest embodies mercy and forgiveness in a deeply physical way.

Guiraudie interprets the human condition as being rooted in sexuality and violence, suggesting that sexuality breeds desire, desire breeds violence, and violence leads to death. Thus, it is no surprise that 'Misericordia' includes a murder. While the audience knows the identity of the killer, the police in the film struggle to find them, circling the forest where the crime occurred. Although the film is categorized as a thriller, it lacks traditional suspense, and the identity of the murderer is not the main focus. However, who knows the killer's identity is crucial, as it ties back to the themes of mercy and forgiveness. The priest, who volunteers to hear confessions, states, 'I did not report the murderer. I have no intention of doing so. Is punishing the killer beneficial? I understand unconditional love, so I can remain silent and love forever.' This echoes the priest's earlier words during the funeral mass: 'He loves you all. Love is eternal. Let us not forget.'

If you find yourself thinking that this all sounds absurd or nonsensical, then you are indeed ready to venture into the forest of desire that Guiraudie has created. While I could grasp the desires portrayed in this film, I found it harder to nod in agreement with the concept of mercy. What about you? Guiraudie has expressed, 'I want to create a universal film that showcases non-universal desires.' With that, I look forward to sharing more insights in the next letter. Thank you.