Content warning: depictions of war; brief mention of domestic violence, alcoholism

Hacksaw Ridge has been labelled as unbelievable to the realities of war, yet I would argue it is the very same unbelievability that fulfils the greater purpose of showcasing the actions of Private Desmond Doss (Andrew Garfield) as being nothing short of a miracle.

In a sea of the best of America’s physically strong men, emerges one man gifted in spiritual boldness. Doss becomes an intriguing character as a combat volunteer unwilling to touch a gun. We, however, see this ignited from childhood. Seeing the turmoil faced during his younger years, to the domestic violence faced by his mother at the hands of his alcoholic veteran father, really made Doss’ lack of desire for violence all the more intriguing. Where many of us would otherwise carry a thrill for revengeful violence, there is an emptiness inside Doss’ mind and heart, that I see embodied in the empty casings of a gun barrel. That is one of the many ways in which I admire how Andrew Garfield depicts Doss’ complex character in Hacksaw Ridge.

The plot is driven forward when Desmond states out into existence: “I want to be a medic… With the world so set on tearing itself apart, it does not seem like such a bad thing to me to want to put a little bit of it back together.” There is a childlike innocence in this statement which made me question, is hopeful innocence truly so wrong?

Its wrongness is in fact seen by commanding officers such as Captain Jack Glover (Sam Worthington), who persecute his inner strength founded in faith as mere lunacy in need of psychiatric discharge from the US army. Doss faces religious persecution within walls not tainted in enemy blood nor muddy trenches, but rather within a space founded in supposed safe Brotherhood. Admirably, Doss’ character withstands every storm and trial because whilst he may be seen as carrying ‘half the Bible for half the man’, there is a greater strength lying in “I am what I am… I believe what I believe.” Doss may not be a role model to many, but the strength in being different is what many of us could learn to appreciate more within ourselves.

Andrew Garfield plays the role incredibly well in showcasing how Doss did not live in sunshine and rainbows. Doss is shown to struggle with an internal turmoil that hit at the worst possible second, perhaps it is why he may feel so relatable to many of us. There is a moment close to the ridge at Hacksaw, which I, too, argue can symbolise the divide between choosing to live and choosing to die for his fellow men. It is in this moment, that Private Doss finally reaches out into his faith with helpless doubt, “I do not understand, I cannot hear you.” The reason I love this scene is because it is cut by a bloodcurdling scream calling out for a medic in the midst of non-stop artillery explosions. The scene is followed by Doss running into the fiery ring of battle; to save the soldier he has founded purpose to save, making this scene one of the most cinematically pleasing moments that have stuck with me.

As final note, I want to point out the scene that topped the whole masterpiece of a movie that Hacksaw Ridge is.

Nearing victory over Hacksaw, Captain Glover is scolded for waiting too long to start the attack, only for the screen to pan out to the whole battalion with heads bowed as they are ‘waiting for Private Doss to finish praying for us’. Private Doss became a War hero for saving 75 wounded men, but I argue he is also a religious figure in a place, such as war, where no soldier would have dreamt of ever finding hope.

Desmond Doss’ character shows brotherhood, suffering, and unwavering inner strength amidst war. And it is because Doss is not just an underrated character played by Andrew Garfield, but because he is so unbelievably real, that Hacksaw Ridge becomes one of my favourite movies to this day.

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