Holy Motors, directed by Leos Carax, is a movie that challenges viewers with its unusual storytelling. In the film, we follow Monsieur Oscar as he moves through different sorts of “appointments” in a single day, transforming into a series of distinct characters. Each role is unique, making the movie feel like a mix of genres and scenes, all without a clear or distinct, linear plot. As a result, the movie become difficult to grasp, oftentimes leaving me confused and unaware of what the purpose of certain scenes were. In order to further understand the in-depth meaning of the film, I searched for outside resources covering their opinions regarding the film.

The following writers, Richard Brody from The New Yorker and Emilie Friedlander from The Fader, have shared their thoughts on what makes Holy Motors so intriguing.

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/richard-brody/leos-caraxs-astonishing-holy-motors

Richard Brody describes Holy Motors as “astonishing.” He believes Carax uses Oscar’s transformations to make a statement about cinema itself. According to Brody, Oscar’s constant role changes show how movies shape our understanding of identity. By switching between roles between father, criminal, beggar, etc., Oscar highlights how we, too, play many parts in life. This style allows Carax to pay homage to different film genres while questioning the reality of identity.

https://www.thefader.com/2012/10/17/what-in-the-world-is-holy-motors-about

Emilie Friedlander, on the other hand, sees Holy Motors as a reflection of today’s strange and chaotic world. She describes the film as an exploration of modern life, where people perform multiple roles, often influenced by technology and social media. She suggests that the film mirrors our own experience of balancing real and online identities, sometimes leaving us feeling disconnected or unsure of who we really are.

Both critics notice a theme of isolation. For Brody, Oscar’s brief encounters with others emphasize his loneliness. Friedlander believes this reflects the isolation many people feel today, especially with technology influencing how we interact. Holy Motors becomes a way to explore these issues, showing how life can feel like a series of roles we’re constantly stepping in and out of.

In short, Holy Motors is a unique take on identity, film, and modern life. Carax uses Oscar’s surreal journey to make us question how much of ourselves is real and how much is performance. The film invites the audience to think about what it means to be ourselves in a world full of endless roles and shifting realities.