Wow. What a memorable experience.
Wow. What superb storytelling.
Wow. What amazing performances.
I recommend going in knowing as little as possible, making the ride that much more enjoyable.
I normally roll my eyes when I see a movie uselessly split into chapters. In Strange Darling, the chapters actually serve a purpose. With this nonlinear storytelling, the movie leaves us constantly intrigued. The perfect order maximizes the impact. It gave me Christopher Nolan vibes.
I was already familiar with Kyle Gallner, whose career continues to ascend. He's always convincing and this might be his best performance yet. But Willa Fitzgerald... who is this?!?!? Best performance I've seen all year. She needs more leading roles ASAP. And with several long shots of these performances, it's a beautiful display of their talent levels.
I regularly watch blockbusters and frequently enjoy studio-manufactured movies. But something about Strange Darling is so refreshing. It feels like genuine art, crafted by artists, and unadulterated by studio contaminants.
And yet it doesn't devolve into the typical Oscar-bait, style-over-substance "high art" that critics love. It's highly entertaining and rewatchable with several jaw-dropping moments.
I had a blast with this movie. It's currently my favorite movie of the year and is significantly better than the overhyped Longlegs (a movie I still enjoyed), or the nonsensical Cuckoo.
(2 viewings, early access screening 8/14/2024, 9/4/2024)
