It's set about 2020 in the Moroccan desert at a luxurious villa during a large weekend party. The film examines the interactions among the Western hosts and party guests and their intersection with local Moroccans, especially after a fatal accident.
David Henninger (Ralph Fiennes) is a high-functioning alcoholic British oncologist with a much younger wife, Jo (Jessica Chastain). Jo is an author of children's books but has not published for nearly 10 years. They're on their way, driving at night towards the party hosted by David's old friend, Richard Galloway (Matt Smith), and Galloway's partner, Dally Margolis (Caleb Landry Jones). Unfortunately, Henninger is driving too fast and arguing with Jo when they hit and kill a teenage Moroccan who appears to be preparing to rob them.
The film then follows two threads--The first is the "investigation" by the police, the arrival of the dead boy's father, Abdellah Taheri (Ismael Kanater), and David's reluctant agreement to return with Abdellah to his home in the desert as part of the grieving process.
The second thread follows the ongoing party at the villa and Jo's interaction with the hosts and with Tom Day (Christopher Abbott), an American financial advisor and perpetual playboy. In the background observing are Moroccan staff like Anouar (Saïd Taghmaoui).
This is not a flattering picture of Westerners, but the Moroccans also lack a clear understanding of the Westerners. The title hints at a resolution that may or may not have meaning. For me, the ending was unsatisfying but not surprising. In fact, it was a bit telegraphed.
Ralph Fiennes is excellent as a racial bigot forced to confront himself in the desert. Ismael Kanater is good as the grief-stricken father who is ambivalent about how to respond to his son's death.
The movie has gotten mixed reviews; I actually thought it was good in exploring intercultural relationships, especially myopic Western arrogance about non-Western cultures.
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