Last Night in Soho

Following a girl named Ellie from the countryside, she enters the busy world of London where she pursues her career in fashion design. Only one problem... she sees things.

The first half started well with a glimpse of mystery as Ellie has dreams of a glamorous life in Soho living through a girl named Sandie. The film techniques used were well thought out too. As the film goes on it gets draining trying to keep up with Ellie and her crazy antics. That was probably the point of the film but it would've been better as a thriller/mystery. I wish there was more suspense built within the film as well. If you watch a lot of psychological horrors or even thrillers, the storyline will be predictable for you so only watch this if you're not looking for a great plot twist but something discomforting and vulnerable.

This movie had me hooked from the beginning. The vibe of the neon, eerily upbeat 60s music, and intense cinematography, is unmatched. Acting was decent and the storyline unpredictable (at least to me). A well made movie that haunts, not scares.

What if Hitchcock an Dario Argento had a nephew that loved Agatha Christie novels? That's the premise of the film's aesthetics and I found especially the first half of the film to be really captivating. Anya Taylor Joy's first scene especially was really masterfully crafted. The leading actress was also impeccable.

Nevertheless as the film's story built up steam for a climax, the choice of a particularly ugly CGI and some pointless jump-scares started putting me off. The writing became over the top by the end, but at least it all made sense eventually. Thankfully it maintained a steady coolness, with great music and solid acting, and beautiful costumes and scenery. While the nonsense put off some of my "film buff" friends, I found it consistently entertaining, and a fun time at the movies.

I saw this at a late night screening, at Athens International Film Festival. The hour, the crowd and the vibe really helped the movie experience for me. I recommend it, if you don't get in with high expectations.

I went on an Edgar Wright binge during lockdown, half just to see them again and half with an eye on the fact that "Last Night in Soho" was due out when the lockdown lifted. Though I generally would say that I liked the film, unfortunately I felt the conclusion let it down.

Eloise (Thomasin McKenzie) moves from Cornwall to London to become a fashion designer. Obsessed with 1960's culture, she struggles to make friends and leaves the halls of residence for a flat in a house owned by Ms Collins (Diana Rigg). On her first night, she dreams about Sandie (Anya Taylor-Joy) a singer who came to Soho in the 1960's and who fell in with Jack (Matt Smith). As the dreams mix with reality, Eloise comes to question her sanity, what happened to Sandie and who the silver haired gentleman (Terence Stamp) hanging around the city might be.

The stuff that I admired most about the film were related to the performances and to Edgar Wright's direction. There is some very clever work done during the dream/haunting sequences to relay that the characters of Eloise and Sandie are both living the same life and the Eloise is watching it from a distance. There's a dance scene, which is very cleverly choreographed so that both characters can dance with Jack without cutting away. Anya Taylor-Joy really can do anything and make it compelling but as a Giallo-esque femme fetale / victim she's at her most arresting. Smith is a convincing charming heavy though he doesn't feature in the film as much as the girls. Thomasin McKenzie carries an excellent Cornishy accent through the film, and keeps Eloise likable, even when she becomes overwhelmed.

But... I'm not convinced that the story matches up with the talent elsewhere. I don't think the film makes as much sense as it thinks it does, in its conclusion. (Sorry if that sounds vague, bit I'm trying to write without spoilers). Its twist is relatively easy to see coming, though some of the dialogue details from earlier in the film hit differently once you know. I also don't think it's particularly scary, and the "ghosts" in the film aren't an especially well-done effect.

Overall, I enjoyed my time with the film but I can't help and think of it as a missed opportunity for something truly special.

Holy smoke what a waste! The actors are all talented, the art direction, sets, costumes, soundtrack are great.

But the second half of this is just the most juvenile simplistic and trope filled junk.

This is another covid era film that looks to be, due to delays, got over- tweeked to bad result.