Joel Coen’s The Tragedy of Macbeth is a stripped-down Shakespeare classic that’s as gloomy as it is enchanting. First and foremost, the film is a visual delight. From start to finish, you will be in awe of the gorgeous black and white splendor on display. Shadows loom large here, and the set design is so darkly eccentric that it would make even Tim Burton jealous. The scope is surprisingly small, working in its favour, as the contained action keeps it an intimate affair. If it sounds like some minimalistic “stage production,” well, you wouldn’t be completely wrong. There is a certain “stagey-ness” to it. But, on the flip side, it’s also cinematic in ways. In short, it’s something different. The performances are also noteworthy highlights. Just wait until you see Kathryn Hunter encompass all three witches into just her one body! And, as you might expect, Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand are powerhouses in their respective iconic roles. I will say that the Shakespearean language can get a tad distracting from time to time. You can tell every actor is squeezing out every last syllable of the dialogue for a crisp articulation. So, needless to say, if you still have nightmares about reading Shakespeare’s works in high school English class, then this movie is not for you. But, for everyone else, they should prepare for some double, double, toil and trouble!