20 Euros

20 Euros follows a couple, Eleni (Anthi Kasinou) and Nick (Constantinos Tsitsios), on a night out as they are interrupted by a man in a parking lot, who challenges their perceptions of modern-day masculinity. The film is an exploration of the absurd nature of toxic masculinity and relationships alongside a satirical take on violence.

One of the most refreshing aspects of the piece is its topical discussion of toxic masculinity, presented from both female and male perspectives, within an incredibly brisk runtime. The blend of satire and darkness keeps the film's themes engaging and deeply provocative. It prompts the viewer to sit with questions, such as what it means to be a man, and leaves the debates open for discussion long after the credits roll. The filmmakers put the viewer in a state of tension and manage to sustain that propulsive nature throughout the duration of the runtime. The subversion of tonal shifts works incredibly well as a grounded blend of both violence and satire.

Both Anthi Kasinou in her portrayal of Eleni and Constantinos Tsitsios’ portrayal of Nick are incredibly endearing thanks to their magnetic chemistry. It's deeply engaging to witness their relationship, particularly through their complex discussions on modern-day masculinity, and hearing both their perspectives keeps the themes of the film remarkably nuanced. Nick conveys a calmer and more collected feeling on how violence isn't always the answer to conflict unless it's self-defence. Eleni argues that women need to feel safe and protected by their partner in moments of conflict. Seeing both sides of the relationship’s perspectives feed off one another is incredibly gripping, and its social commentary leaves room for debate by not picking sides on the subject matter.

The camerawork primarily consists of over-the-shoulder framing within the car and the camera rigged in front of the vehicle to always keep both Eleni and Nick at the centre of the frame. Stephen Metzner, serving as the film's cinematographer, utilises these unique ways of framing both characters so the viewer never loses sight of the central characters' emotive performances. The use of music also complements the moments of conflict and tension astoundingly with its visceral motifs. However, during the acts of violence, the editing can appear choppy, making it difficult to comprehend what is occurring on screen. While this may be an intentional choice to convey the brutality and number of characters present, it's incredibly jarring and incomprehensible at times. The use of slow motion during the acts of violence is another questionable formal decision; however, it somewhat works due to the satirical nature of the narrative.

The film seamlessly blends the more intimate moments of discussion and conflict, creating an incredibly engaging experience for the viewer. While the conclusion to the narrative is somewhat open-ended, leaving room for debate, it prompts the viewer to reflect on the concepts of masculinity and the cycle of peer pressure that perpetuates toxic masculinity.

20 Euros is a thought-provoking and deeply nuanced exploration of modern-day masculinity that skillfully blends satire with the severity of the topic. Assisted by two terrific performances from Anthi Kasinou and Constantinos Tsitsios, the film will likely spark discussion on the male and female perspectives on violence and masculinity.