Tabu (2017)
December 2, 2025
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Tabu (2017)
Tabu (2017) is a dark and atmospheric historical drama that delves into the mysteries of power, family, and vengeance. Set in 1814, the film follows the unexpected return of James Keziah Delaney, an enigmatic explorer who has been presumed dead for years. Played by Tom Hardy, Delaney reappears in London to claim his inheritance: his late father’s vast and powerful shipping empire. However, his arrival in the bustling metropolis stirs up more than just wealth—it unearths a web of dark secrets, long-buried grudges, and unresolved conflicts.
The story begins with Delaney’s return from Africa, a place where he was presumed to have met his end. His return to London is not only a surprise to the public but also to the figures that once had a hand in his presumed demise. As Delaney takes control of his father’s empire, he begins to uncover the shrouded truths about his family’s business dealings, revealing a tangled history of betrayal, corruption, and revenge. But his inheritance comes with a price. The ghosts of his past, both literal and metaphorical, resurface, threatening everything he is striving to reclaim.
The central theme of Tabu explores the duality of Delaney’s character: a man of great intellect, ruthlessness, and mysterious origins, who is trying to rebuild what was lost, while also confronting the many enemies that are now at his heels. His journey isn’t just a personal one—it’s a revenge-driven odyssey against those who wronged his family and him. As he dives deeper into the shadows of his father’s legacy, Delaney faces a series of enemies who have long been established in the world of wealth and power.
Atmosphere and Tone
Tabu is infused with a constant sense of foreboding, built upon its gothic atmosphere. The film’s direction, by Steven Knight, takes the viewer through a moody, tension-filled world where every interaction seems to be fraught with danger. The period setting is rich and meticulously crafted, from the grimy streets of London to the opulent but suffocating drawing rooms where power and manipulation are the true currency.
The world of 19th-century London is well realized, with stunning cinematography that enhances the feeling of isolation and paranoia that surrounds Delaney. Knight’s storytelling is slow and deliberate, drawing the audience into the inner turmoil of Delaney’s mind and the complicated world he is forced to navigate. The pacing, while methodical, creates a palpable sense of impending doom, which makes the film’s eventual climaxes all the more powerful.