Strange Darling

This movie is a well-engineered crafty quasi-erotic thriller that keeps you engaged until the very end. While a low budget movie, there are quite a few dramatic and super dramatic plot points that have you wondering what they might have done with a conventional robust budget.

The movie is presented in six chapters - and I will admit I'm generally not a fan of "chapters" - and initially I found this to be a distraction.. but as the movie moved along you realize the plot device was quite strategic.

The movie is a stark reminder why you should see thrillers as soon as they come out because it's hard to imagine that many well-intentioned reviewers won't spoil the movie simply in the title of their review.

I will certainly credit the director for making a thrilling memorable movie from very little resources to work with.

And the actress at the center of the movie (Willa Fitzgerald) gives a masterful performance.

I admit I was entertained for the duration of the film and the plot twist was fun....but it never feels like anything more than a B/C level 1990s Cinemax 2:00am type movie so the rave reviews are a bit puzzling to me. The actress who plays the main character is phenomenal though. She's completely electrifying and the final scene (I won't give anything away) her acting is award worthy. Maybe she won awards, I don't know, I've never heard of her before but she's good enough that I immediately googled her name as soon as it went off to see what I've missed. The woman is a phenomenal actress. Very entertaining film but the low budget is unfortunately a bit too obvious.

Strange Darling is a mesmerizing psychological horror, told in a non-linear sequence that brilliantly enhances its tension and complexity. The film unravels in six chapters-4, 1, 5...and, surprisingly, this disjointed structure works in its favor, drawing you deeper into a gorgeous twisted nightmare.

From the get-go, this film doesn't shy away from violence, delivering lengthy and often brutal scenes that keep you on edge. Kyle Gallner's performance is a standout; his portrayal of The Demon is as hot as it is transformative, taking you on a rollercoaster of emotions as his character's layers get peeled back.

The Lady, played with eerie curiousity by Willa Fitzgerald, is one of the most complicated and fascinating characters in recent memory. Her personality is so compelling that it's difficult to take your eyes off her.

Visually, Strange Darling is exemplary for modern horror films. The deep neon blues reminiscent of Mulholland Drive and the vibrant pinks that echo Climax create a dreamlike atmosphere, beautifully complemented by Giovanni Ribisi's debut work as a cinematographer-nothing is wasted. The fact that it was shot on film adds a rich texture to the movie, vibrant saturation, making the horror elements strangely beautiful.

The film also delves into themes of kink and consent, handling them with a nuanced touch that's as intriguing as it is respectful. There's a dark romance at its core, exploring the toxic love, addiction, metal illness, and the desperate search for genuine connection. It's a story that resonates deeply with anyone who has experienced a loving relationship that took a sudden, disastrous turn.

The film's seamless flow between non-linear scenes is achieved through a rhythmic editing of its piano music and soothing vocals. This sing-song approach also enhances the film's hypnotic vibes. The relaxing original songs contrast shocking violence, amplifying the unsettling and delightfully gory moments.

Strange Darling is captivating with its rich colors, dreamlike cinematography, non-linear structure, and compelling characters. It is a must watch for anyone into indie horror films, but be careful to avoid spoilers.

Strange Darling is a crazy film that will keep you guessing from beginning to end. You should definitely go in blind with this one to get the best experience and the most enjoyment out of it. Kyle Gallner was great in this movie. I always enjoy his work, I think he's one of the more underrated actors out there. Willa Fitzgerald steals the film with a show-stopping performance. JT Mollner did a fantastic job writing and directing, I'll look forward to seeing what he does next. This is a great original thriller that I would recommend. You will not be bored for one second. Not everything is what it seems.

I really like Willa Fitzgerald, she was so great as deputy Roscoe in the first season (2022) of "Reacher". ("Don't worry, I won't kick your a$$, unless you make me.") Here she is just The Lady. She is the strong point, she makes this movie worth watching.

Aside from that I can't understand why this movie has even an average of 7 rating. That seems high when you think about what the movie really is. The opening states something about a serial killer in 2018 through 2022. Then the story we see has a man and woman in a car chase through the rural forests of Oregon (we can see Mt. Hood in the distance), he shoots, the car overturns, she in her bright red clothes runs. We have no idea why this is happening and, frankly, it reminded me in quality of the home movies I made in the 1980s with a portable VCR where kids were in a bike chase.

So, what they did is edit the film to depict it in six chapters, but we are shown them out of order. We eventually see why the woman is wearing what she is and why the man is chasing her.

Ultimately the whole movie, while it has some interesting moments, just isn't very entertaining nor very memorable.

I could not recommend it to anyone.