“Revenant. noun. A person who has returned, especially supposedly from the dead” (Merriam-Webster). No other title could perfectly fit the new amazing film “The Revenant,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy.

In this film, Hugh Glass is abandoned by his hunting troop in a deadly winter freeze after he survives being mauled by a bear. Glass must fight for his life against the elements in one of the most intense, gory, and perfectly executed movies of the 2016 Oscar season.

Ironically, I almost didn’t even see this movie. Advertisements were scarce and just looked like another attempt by DiCaprio to finally snatch the elusive Oscar. It happens every award season, so originally I just brushed it off.

However, after hearing it was nominated for twelve Oscars, I just had to check it out myself and form my own opinion. It did not disappoint in the slightest. “The Revenant” combines stunning cinematography, excellent performances, and top notch graphics to create a gripping story of survival and the durability of man.

First things first, I’ll address the question that is on everyone’s mind. Does Leonardo DiCaprio deserve an Oscar for this performance? Absolutely. The amount of sheer physical endurance needed for this role is amazing in itself, but DiCaprio brings it to a whole other level. His acting shows the character’s absolute desperation, but also his strength and power. “The Revenant” doesn’t have much dialogue, so you need a strong actor in your leading role to keep the audience interested. Also, what DiCaprio goes through will make even the hardened cinema fan cringe in disgust, including eating the raw meat of buffalo, sleeping in a dead animal corpse, biting the heads off of fish, and being buried alive.

Not only does DiCaprio show a strong performance, but so does the supporting actor Tom Hardy, who plays Fitzgerald, the deciding man who leaves Glass behind to fend for himself in the wilderness after he believes he is holding the hunting troupe back. His harsh, no-nonsense attitude makes his character believably unlikeable.You will hate him, but that shows how good his acting is. When you have such strong feelings of anger for a character, it’s because of the emotions the actor brings to his role. Both DiCaprio and Hardy are well deserving of their respective Oscar nominations.

However, my favorite part about “The Revenant” is the cinematography. The beautiful landscapes of the film provide a stark contrast to the suffering our main character goes through. Beautiful snowy landscapes, sweeping green forests, and harsh rushing waters are all filmed in a widescreen lens, completely engulfing the screen. Another aesthetically pleasing aspect of “The Revenant” are the dreams, nightmares, and flashbacks of Glass as he fights for his survival. A hushed, calming voice is played as the backtrack while flashes of Glass’s dead wife, son, and home pass through. It reminded me of the filmography of one of my favorite film directors, Gus Van Sant. It is beautifully shot and gives the audience a glimpse into the mind of Glass as he straddles the thin line between life and death.

Even if you have had no desire to see “The Revenant,” I highly recommend you see it. You will not be disappointed.