Strange Darling

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.

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.

Although it is a thrilling film in parts, somewhat sagging, it was woefully let down by the incredible and bizarre stupidity of the characters.

If everyone was rational the film would have ended in 10 minutes, but no absurdity had to get a look in.

I loved the non linear story telling. Your mind is taken through a tense drama of cat and mouse, and then back and forth with different chapters, filling in more detail as you build a picture of whole drama.

But, a big but, and this is why everyone complains the golden age of cinema is well and truly over. To make the story work the film needed a tonne of stupidity and suspension of disbelief. This lets the film down badly to the extent you leave the cinema thinking it was all rubbish.

I think the film will end up at 6.7 (it started off at 8 and at the time of writing it had fallen to 7.1). Another wannabe-clever film, soon to be forgotten.

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.

A sleeper hit of 2023. It has everything I want from a thriller: Stellar performances (Willa Fitzgerald freaking killed it), top-notch cinematography, great original scores and sound mixing, simple yet interesting plot, story structure that is similar to Christopher Nolan's Memento in nature and it subverts my expectations at every turn. Every time you think you know the answer, the movie just does a complete uno reverse; not that it's that creative, original or unconventional, I just believe Strange Darling is one of those thrillers told in the most memorable, fun and artistic ways, and I assure you it is not easy to please me as an enthusiastic cinephile. It reminds you a lot of Drive 2011.

Nothing else to say, go watch it already. One of the most immersive 1 hour and 30 minutes.