On Friday, Jan. 8, theaters were treated to the release of an incredibly brutal tale of survival and revenge. Director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarrito, the man behind Oscar-winning Birdman (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance), introduces the Revenant, one man’s journey against the tide that is filled to the brim with tension and satisfaction. It is a story of betrayal and revenge, starring veteran actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy.

Inspired by true events, a frontiersman, Hugh Glass, is viciously mauled by a monstrous bear and then left for dead by his fellow hunters in the unforgiving wilderness. Alone and forsaken, he’s then forced to recover on his own, while navigating a terrain that attempts to claim his life at every turn, while battling his own crippling grief and anger.

The film is a cinematic spectacle, each shot of both the landscape and Hugh Glass’s hardships looking incredibly realistic and terrifying. Alejandro G. I. had filmed the movie in natural light, as opposed to the normal procedure, and it shows in every frame. The acting was superb, and casted incredibly well, each actor diving face first into their role. Even DiCaprio, a vegetarian, ate a real bison’s liver for one of his scenes.

While sitting down with Yahoo News, DiCaprio spoke about filming the scene of the bear attack, describing it as one of the most difficult things he’s had to do in his whole career.

“…the end result is going to be one of the most immersive experiences audiences will ever have, with what it would be like to come face-to-face with an animal of that magnitude that is incredibly primal. It is absolutely startling and shocking, and it is the closest thing to documentary filmmaking, but in a completely stylized way that a lot of people never experienced.”

The Revenant has already dominated the Golden Globes, with the film itself winning Best Drama, Leonardo DiCaprio winning best actor, and Alejandro G. I. winning best director for their efforts. Revenant is now even a frontrunner for the Oscars.

Not for the faint of heart, the Revenant is an incredible cinematic experience that will grip hold of you and refuse to let go until the credits roll. It is definitely a must see for movie lovers and casual viewers alike, if you think that you can take it.