Breaking Down To Rebuild: A Review of Demolition

Demolition (2015), directed by Jean-Marc Vallée, is an unconventional drama that explores grief, self-destruction, and the messy process of rebuilding one’s life. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal as Davis Mitchell, a successful investment banker who spirals after the sudden death of his wife, the film is less about moving on and more about tearing things apart—both literally and emotionally.

Gyllenhaal delivers a raw, detached, and strangely humorous performance as Davis, who reacts to tragedy in an almost mechanical way, showing little outward grief. Instead of mourning in the expected way, he fixates on the idea that everything in his life—his marriage, his career, and even physical objects—needs to be taken apart to truly understand them. His bizarre correspondence with a vending machine company, sparked by a minor inconvenience at a hospital, leads him to connect with customer service rep Karen (Naomi Watts) and her troubled son (Judah Lewis). These relationships add an offbeat but touching dynamic to his journey.

What makes Demolition stand out is its refusal to adhere to the traditional grief narrative. It doesn’t demand catharsis but instead revels in the unpredictability of loss. Vallée’s signature style—intimate close-ups, nonlinear storytelling, and a dreamlike soundtrack—elevates the film’s introspective tone. Some might find the pacing uneven or Davis’s actions frustrating, but that’s part of the film’s charm. It doesn’t try to be neat or sentimental; it embraces the chaos.

Ultimately, Demolition is about deconstructing one’s life to understand what truly matters. It’s poignant, sometimes darkly funny, and deeply human. While it may not appeal to everyone, those who connect with its themes will find it an oddly therapeutic watch.