Werner Herzog’s Bucking Fastard, showcased at the 2026 Venice Film Festival, is heralded as his best fiction feature since his resurgence in the 2000s. At 84, Herzog combines elements from his earlier works with a whimsical touch, led by sisters Rooney and Kate Mara portraying Jean and Joan Holbrooke, who bizarrely speak in unison. Set in contemporary Ireland, the film opens with a sensational court trial involving their neighbor, Mulrooney (Orlando Bloom), setting a tone both tabloid and absurd.
As the story unfolds, Herzog shifts focus to the sisters’ attempts to navigate life post-restraining order from Mulrooney. They move in with a well-meaning but protective widower and encounter Domhnall Gleeson as a social worker who guides them through daily challenges, including humorously learning to open a sardine can. This symbolizes their intertwined existence, highlighting the complexity of their bond, which echoes a contemporary myth of connection despite societal expectations.
Their childlike energy, paired with absurd quests like digging a tunnel into a mountain, provides a darkly comedic yet poignant exploration of purpose and belonging. Herzog’s writing—partially inspired by the real-life Chaplin sisters—offers a unique perspective on finding one’s place in the world. The film culminates in a thought-provoking statement about existence, encapsulating Bucking Fastard as a refreshing take on the struggle for identity amidst chaos.
