Irreversible

The film begins with The Butcher, a character returning from Noé’s earlier work, as he reflects on his life and the chain of events that led him to his current modest apartment. His grim and introspective narration sets a stark tone contrasted by the vibrant sounds of a nearby gay BDSM club called The Rectum.

In a subsequent scene, we see Alex and Marcus in a tender moment, embodying their intimate bond through their nudity. Their conversation reveals the underlying issues in Alex's previous relationship with Pierre, igniting a discussion about her desire for deeper emotional fulfillment.

Alex shares a vivid dream of a crimson tunnel, which serves as a surreal foreshadowing of her future. This vision hints at her impending motherhood, a revelation further emphasized by the swift discovery of a positive pregnancy test, marking a significant turning point in her life.

While aboard a packed train, an argument erupts between Alex and Pierre, where they confront each other about his inadequacies as a partner. Marcus observes their escalating conflict from a distance, choosing to remain removed from the emotional turmoil unfolding before him.

Later that night at a party, the atmosphere turns chaotic as Marcus, inebriated and under the influence of drugs, urges Alex to leave. As she escapes the escalating tension, she stumbles into a nightmarish scene in an underpass where a transgender sex worker is violently attacked, leading to her own harrowing experience.

In the dimly-lit underpass, Alex becomes a victim as the attacker shifts focus to her, leaving her unconscious after a brutal assault. This horrific event marks a tragic downturn for Alex, establishing a perilous position that sets the stage for the following quest for justice.

As paramedics whisk Alex away, Pierre and Marcus confront two dubious figures, Mourad and Layde, who offer their help in seeking retribution. They discover a crucial clue: an abandoned ID belonging to the assaulted worker, Concha, which leads them deeper into their pursuit.

Marcus and Pierre embark on a treacherous journey through the city, facing unyielding cab drivers and hostile residents as they search for the rapist. Frustrated by their lack of progress, Marcus takes drastic measures and hijacks a taxi, with Pierre powerless to stop him.

Their desperate search leads them to The Rectum, where Marcus’s instincts push him to confront a potential suspect. However, he is violently attacked during the encounter, suffering severe injuries due to his reckless aggression.

Pierre arrives just in time to rescue Marcus, using a fire extinguisher as a weapon to defend him against the assailant. In the ensuing struggle, Pierre unintentionally kills the attacker, which leads to his arrest by the authorities, leaving Marcus further incapacitated.

In the film's closing scene, Alex is seen in a park, reflecting quietly on the tumultuous events that have transpired. Her thoughts encapsulate the profound impact of violence and loss, as she processes her experiences in silence.

Suddenly, the screen flashes strobe lights revealing the message 'Time destroys everything,' provoking viewers to consider the effects of time on trauma and justice. In the Straight Cut of the film, the phrase shifts to 'Time reveals everything,' shifting the focus to truth and revelation over time.