Prime Video: With 4.4/5, this is Andrew Garfield’s best movie and will be leaving the platform soon

Andrew Garfield is The Social Network – the film that discovered him – and the duology The Amazing Spider-Man, where he was asked to play his teenage side with a charming smile. But in 2016, the actor surprised everyone by landing a role in Thou Shalt Not Kill, a war film that marks the return of the punchy Mel Gibson behind the camera.

It follows Desmond Dess, a young American who faced a dilemma: like any fellow countryman, he wanted to serve his country during World War II, but violence was incompatible with his beliefs and moral principles.

He again enlisted as a doctor in the infantry. Refusing to change his beliefs led to him being brutally led by his comrades and superiors, but armed only with his faith he entered the hell of war to become one of the greatest heroes. During the Battle of Okinawa, on the undisturbed Maeda Rock, he managed to save dozens of people single-handedly under enemy fire and brought the wounded soldiers back from the battlefield one by one.

The role goes against what he has done before and which everyone has accepted. Directed by Mel Gibson – who delivers a technically stunning war film – Andrew Garfield is settled. Before our eyes, he becomes a martyr (a narrative figure whom the director adores) the face of a devastating war and a wounded nation.

The actor has also worked on his diction and posture to get as close as possible to the real Desmond Des – and offers a reserved performance:

“I followed a thorough preparation. I visited Desmond’s hometown, but also where he spent his retirement, the house he grew up in and where he died. I took the same paths as him. I read every book dedicated to him to learn as much as possible about him“- he explained regarding the release of the film.

It’s impossible not to be overwhelmed by his moving performance, which also won the Academy Awards. The actor earned a nomination for his role that year, and even if he walked away empty-handed, it’s his best performance to date, as evidenced by AlloCiné’s ratings. With a 4.4/5 from about 24,000 voters, the conclusion is clear. And you only have a week left to catch it on Prime Video as it leaves the platform on April 27.