Love and War Collide: The Narrow Road to the Deep North Stuns at Berlinale

One of the most anticipated projects at this year’s Berlinale Specials is The Narrow Road to the Deep North, directed by Justin Kurzel and starring Jacob Elordi as the complex protagonist, Dorrigo Evans. Adapted from Richard Flanagan’s Man Booker Prize-winning novel, the series presents a sweeping, decades-spanning tale of war, survival, and forbidden love. Kurzel, known for his visually striking and psychologically intense films (Macbeth, Nitram), takes on an ambitious narrative that weaves together the brutality of war with the tenderness of human memory.

A Story of War, Love, and Regret

At the story’s heart is Dorrigo Evans, an Australian soldier captured by the Japanese during World War II and forced to work on the infamous Thai-Burma railway. While enduring unimaginable hardship as a prisoner of war, he is haunted by memories of his love affair with Amy, his uncle’s wife. This romance sustains and torments him in equal measure. The series explores how this fleeting yet profound relationship shapes his life, even as he moves through different stages: from soldier to prisoner, from war hero to a reluctant celebrity in post-war Australia.

Kurzel emphasized the importance of balancing the film’s brutality with emotional depth: “The war was hell, but what lingers with Dorrigo is love. Love that he couldn’t have, love that was never resolved.”

Jacob Elordi Steps into a Career-Defining Role

Elordi spoke about the emotional weight of playing Dorrigo: “I had to live in his silences, in his regrets. The challenge was to let the audience feel everything he was holding back.”

Elordi spoke about the emotional weight of playing Dorrigo: “I had to live in his silences, in his regrets. The challenge was to let the audience feel everything he was holding back.”

Fresh off his meteoric rise with Euphoria and Saltburn, Jacob Elordi takes on one of the most challenging roles of his career. Portraying Dorrigo across different timelines required both physical transformation and deep psychological insight.

In the Berlinale press conference, Elordi described his process of embodying the character: “Dorrigo is a man shaped by suffering, yet he never allows himself to truly feel. I wanted to bring out his inner turmoil, his contradictions.”

The actor, praised for his brooding intensity on screen, delivers a performance that captures the duality of a man trapped between duty and desire, past and present. “It was a test of restraint, of letting the pain linger just beneath the surface,” Elordi explained. “Dorrigo’s strength comes from everything he doesn’t say.”

A Unique Perspective on War Cinema

Unlike traditional war epics, The Narrow Road to the Deep North does not focus solely on battles and survival. It is a deeply introspective series that interrogates memory, guilt, and love themes.

Kurzel spoke about his approach: “There are countless war stories, but this one is different. It’s about what happens after. How do you live when you’ve lost so much?”

The depiction of the Thai-Burma railway’s construction is unflinching, showing the sheer horror endured by prisoners. The cinematography oscillates between the brutal realism of the camps and the dreamlike sequences of Dorrigo’s past romance, making the contrast even more powerful.

Historical Authenticity and Visual Storytelling

The production team conducted extensive research to bring this historical period to life. The POW camps, the landscapes of Thailand and Burma, and even the medical practices of the time were recreated with painstaking detail.

Kurzel’s collaboration with cinematographer Ari Wegner (The Power of the Dog) results in a visually arresting series that contrasts the lush, almost suffocating jungle with the cold, clinical world of post-war Australia.

The Meaning Behind the Title

Richard Flanagan’s novel takes its name from the famous travel diary of the 17th-century Japanese poet Matsuo Bashō. In both works, the theme of the journey—both physical and emotional—is central.

Kurzel explained: “Dorrigo’s journey is not just through war but through his own past, his memories. The ‘narrow road’ is the one that leads him to understanding himself.”

Jacob Elordi on His Future and Acting Challenges

Beyond his work in The Narrow Road to the Deep North, Elordi discussed his evolving approach to acting and the kind of roles he wants to take on: “I don’t want to stay in one lane. Every role should feel like I’m stepping into the unknown.” He mentioned a desire to work with auteurs and explore narratives that push boundaries.

Elordi also spoke about the psychological challenges of playing Dorrigo: “This character demanded more from me than anything I’ve done before. The emotional weight, the physical endurance—it was something I carried with me even after filming.”

What’s Next for the Cast and Director?

With The Narrow Road to the Deep North, Jacob Elordi cements his status as a serious dramatic actor, moving beyond his teen idol image. During the press conference, he hinted at future projects that will continue challenging him: “I want to explore roles that scare me. This was one of them.”

Meanwhile, Justin Kurzel continues to push boundaries, stating that he is already considering another historical drama, though details remain under wraps.