Amor, Mentiras Y Sangre

Rose Glass, the visionary director behind Saint Maud, throws another punch with Love Lies Bleeding, a neo-noir crime thriller that's both stylish and unsettling. Lou, a cautious gym manager, has her world turned upside down when she develops feelings for Jackie, a dedicated bodybuilder in Las Vegas training for a competition (Katie O'Brian). Sparks fly, but their budding romance gets entangled with Lou's dark family secrets, propelling them down a violent path.

Love Lies Bleeding isn't afraid to push boundaries. It evokes memories of classic thrillers like Body Double, with its neon-drenched aesthetic and underlying themes of obsession and desire. However, Glass injects a contemporary dose of female empowerment, subverting the stereotypical femme fatale trope. Jackie isn't just a damsel in distress; she's a complex character with her own agency, which adds a layer of intrigue to the narrative.

The film's greatest strength lies in its central performances. Stewart delivers a raw and intense portrayal of Lou, a woman yearning for connection but burdened by her past. O'Brian matches her intensity, embodying the steely determination and vulnerability of Jackie with remarkable nuance. Their chemistry is undeniable, making us invested in their tumultuous relationship, even as things spiral out of control.

While the plot takes some wild turns, it's the film's thematic exploration that lingers. Glass dissects the destructive nature of desire, and the lengths people go to in the name of love-or perhaps, obsession. The violence, though brutal, feels purposeful, serving as a metaphor for the emotional turmoil the characters endure.

Admittedly, the pacing can be uneven at times. The first act establishes the characters and their connection beautifully, but the middle section drags a bit as the focus shifts towards the criminal underbelly. However, the film regains its momentum in the final act, culminating in a climax that's both shocking and strangely cathartic.

Technically, Love Lies Bleeding is a knockout. The cinematography is sharp, using bold colours and contrasting lighting to create a visually arresting world. The pounding score complements the film's intensity, while the editing keeps the narrative taut without sacrificing character development.

Love Lies Bleeding isn't for the faint of heart. It's a film that revels in its own darkness, challenging us with its graphic violence and unconventional love story. But for those seeking a neo-noir experience that's both thrilling and thought-provoking, this is a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

Love Lies Bleeding is a film with flaws, but its bold direction, phenomenal performances, and exploration of complex themes make it a worthwhile watch, especially for fans of unconventional thrillers. Just be prepared for a wild ride.

This isn't some jam down your throat gay movie. It's a movie with characters that happen to be gay. As someone who typically gets annoyed by movies that attempt this over the last decade now, I would say it wasn't overwhelming or assertive at all. Straight forward plot, but never getting too predictable. It does a wonderful job of showing fresh exciting love being deconstructed by the realities of life very well.

It was also the perfect length. It never feels like it's dragging on or being rushed.

Acting was above average for today's standards. Nobodies acting got in the way of the plot. Overall decent way to spend an early afternoon.

Expect of heavy sex scenes in the first third or so btw.

So, we all decided to check out Love Lies Bleeding after it popped up on a list of recommendations-saw the A24 logo, and honestly, how could we not? They've been killing it lately with fresh, original films. The promise of a crime thriller had us intrigued, especially since we went in blind, only knowing the basics-A24, gritty, crime-thriller. What could go wrong?

Atmosphere & Direction Winny was all in for the atmosphere, and we could see why. The movie is absolutely beautifully bleak in a way that sticks with you. There's this harsh, gritty vibe to the whole thing, and it pulls you into this world where love, obsession, and addiction are at the core of everything. It's stylish in a way that doesn't feel like it's trying too hard, but you can tell Rose Glass knows exactly what she's doing behind the lens. Winny was literally soaking it all in, calling it "cinematic art" and couldn't stop appreciating how everything felt so meticulously crafted.

Action, Crime, and the Thrills Willow's always about those intense crime scenes, and Love Lies Bleeding definitely delivers there. The action is brutal and to the point. There's a lot of tension in those moments-especially when the crime stuff ramps up. That said, Willow also found some of the violence a bit much at times. It wasn't so much the brutality that got him, but the fact that the movie kept leaning into that edge, making it feel like every single plot point had to come with a little too much blood and bad guys being way over the top (looking at you, Dad-Ed Harris, but also why, right?).

Speaking of bad guys, Sweet was rooting for the love between Lou and Jackie, but also kind of hoping they'd get a happy ending. He said, "Maybe the movie didn't need to end on such a dark note, man." We feel you, Sweet. The movie spends so much time with violence and drama, it leaves little room for anything remotely positive, and while that's part of its gritty appeal, it's hard not to wish for a glimmer of hope.

Kristen Stewart & Ed Harris: A Tangled Web Amy, of course, couldn't get enough of Kristen Stewart's performance. It's raw, intense, and you can't deny that Kristen really brought her A-game here-her portrayal of Lou was wildly compelling. She has this dark energy that makes you feel for her character, even when she's making questionable choices. But Ed Harris? He's just an absolute monster in this one. His role as the over-the-top bad guy with that wig-hilarious yet terrifying at the same time. He really owns the screen and gives the movie that extra edge.

Mimikyu just vibed with the group throughout the whole movie. She was just glad we all had such a strong reaction, even though the movie is pretty heavy and intense. Sometimes it's just about enjoying a movie with friends, right?

Some Things Don't Quite Work There's no denying this movie has its flaws, though. First off, the pacing was uneven-there were definitely moments where we were all like, "Okay, this is dragging a bit." The first act sets things up really nicely, but the middle section slowed down a bit, and honestly, there were some long stretches where we were kind of zoning out. Sweet thought the drug use in the film was a bit overdone too. It was clearly there to illustrate the characters' toxic cycles, but after a while, it felt unnecessary and almost too disturbing to watch.

Also, the relationship between Lou and Jackie is complex, but it doesn't feel fully developed by the end. It's clear there's an intense chemistry between them, but by the time things start spiraling, we were left with more questions than answers. The ending, in particular, was a bit of a letdown. Some people might think it's bold and thought-provoking, but it felt more like a cop-out to us. It didn't deliver the catharsis we were hoping for after everything that went down.

Final Thoughts Even with those issues, Love Lies Bleeding is still an entertaining watch. It's intense, gritty, and unpredictable, and it definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat. There are some things that could've been tightened up (a little less drug-use excess, a more satisfying ending), but the performances, especially from Kristen Stewart and Katy O'Brian, really elevate the material. It's got that modern Grindhouse vibe that feels fresh and raw, but it's not for everyone. You need to be prepared for a ride that's as unsettling as it is thrilling.

For all of us, this movie was like an A24 dive into a world of toxic love and obsession, and while some parts didn't fully click for us, it's still worth a shot if you're into darker, edgier thrillers.

Rating: 7/10 Not flawless, but still a ride that leaves you thinking.

Kristen Stewart is a talented performer known for making both good and dreary movies better. Her restlessness and unquiet presence draw audiences in, making her a captivating character. In her latest film, "Love Lies Bleeding," Stewart plays Lou, a small-town loner in New Mexico, who yearns to escape a classic dead end. In the '80s, Lou works in a gym, where she spends her time fixing jalopies and slipping steroids. A beautiful stranger named Jackie (played by Katy O'Brian) catches Lou's eye, setting the movie on an incendiary path. The movie features violence, guns, spooky flashbacks, and a classic villain played by Ed Harris. The film is filled with extravagantly bad hair, rotten teeth, and souls, making it an exciting and captivating experience for viewers. The film also features a classic villain, played by Ed Harris, who delivers a sneer and an epically terrible wig. Overall, "Love Lies Bleeding" is a thrilling and captivating film that showcases Stewart's talent in making movies better and more enjoyable. "Love Lies Bleeding" is a thriller directed by Rose Glass, who has a background in James M. Cain and Jim Thompson novels. The film follows Jackie, a bodybuilder, and Lou, a drifter who meets his kismet at the gym. They connect after the gym closes, and their relationship is marked by a violent confrontation between Jackie and a gym rat. The story quickly heats up as Jackie drifts into town, landing a job to earn money. She crashes with Lou, who is eager for Jackie to stay. Lou remains super-jumpy and wary, and Stewart gives her character a tremulous energy that vibrates in her every look, gesture, and head bob. Glass borrows liberally but not mindlessly, taking familiar themes and clichés like romantic doom and family trauma and playfully bending them to her purposes. She upends the heterosexual coupling that powers many movies, including gun-crazed noirs where violence is sex (and vice versa). Glass deploys her allusions and, with her two beautifully synchronized leads, distills what's pleasurable from them while leaving behind old ugly ideas about women. The film is enjoyable because it uses dark and oh-so-sweet elements, with the greatest danger and thrill being finally love. Glass looks back and she looks forward, going dark and oh-so-sweet in a thriller where the greatest danger and thrill is finally love.

Let me preface this review that I liked both characters, loved the gritty atmosphere and the outstanding cinematography and production design. Unfortunately the great direction can not substitute an unfocused script. The heavy-handed metaphors are superfluous and it reminded me of another A24 gamble that missed it's mark called Lamb (2021). It never really knows what it really wants to be: gritty crime thriller or drama ,it falls short in both genres. And depending on your suspension of disbelief the ending will be hit or miss. The movie does something towards the end, which will split the audience. Some people will love it, others wil be confused. I found it to be a creative cop-out. It is unnecessarily pretentious, because up to this point the movie was doing fine: a bit illogical, but a good ending would have still managed catch the curve. There's also a problem with the character of Jackie being quite underdeveloped. It's not the actresses' fault, both actresses deliver damn good performances, especially with the pastiche dialogues. It's just sems like you have seen it all before, but better. Especially the presence of Ed Harris invoked memories of Cronenberg's History of Violence, but whereas Cronenberg manages to ride the fine line between comical/surreal exagerration and authentic drama. Love Lies Bleeding tries to do go all in on caricature and loses it's gamble. It's a shame because I liked the epilogue, even the end credits are charming. But it's that crucial piece near the end, that never provided that heartfelt catharsis or an inventive solution. It's still an entertaining movie overall , it's best though to lower expectations towards the end.