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Strange Darling

  • 2023
  • R
  • 1h 37m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
59K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
367
30
Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald in Strange Darling (2023)
One day in the twisted love life of a serial killer.
Play trailer1:47
4 Videos
99+ Photos
Erotic ThrillerPsychological ThrillerHorrorThriller

Nothing is what it seems when a twisted one-night stand spirals into a serial killer's vicious murder spree.Nothing is what it seems when a twisted one-night stand spirals into a serial killer's vicious murder spree.Nothing is what it seems when a twisted one-night stand spirals into a serial killer's vicious murder spree.

  • Director
    • JT Mollner
  • Writer
    • JT Mollner
  • Stars
    • Willa Fitzgerald
    • Kyle Gallner
    • Madisen Beaty
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.0/10
    59K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    367
    30
    • Director
      • JT Mollner
    • Writer
      • JT Mollner
    • Stars
      • Willa Fitzgerald
      • Kyle Gallner
      • Madisen Beaty
    • 362User reviews
    • 177Critic reviews
    • 80Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 6 wins & 20 nominations total

    Videos4

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:02
    Official Trailer
    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:47
    Official Trailer
    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:47
    Official Trailer
    Strange Darling
    Trailer 1:02
    Strange Darling
    Strange Darling: Car Chase
    Clip 1:41
    Strange Darling: Car Chase

    Photos126

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    + 118
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    Top cast15

    Edit
    Willa Fitzgerald
    Willa Fitzgerald
    • The Lady
    Kyle Gallner
    Kyle Gallner
    • The Demon
    Madisen Beaty
    Madisen Beaty
    • Gale
    Bianca A. Santos
    Bianca A. Santos
    • Tanya
    Steven Michael Quezada
    Steven Michael Quezada
    • Pete
    Ed Begley Jr.
    Ed Begley Jr.
    • Frederick
    Barbara Hershey
    Barbara Hershey
    • Genevieve
    Denise Grayson
    Denise Grayson
    • Libby
    Eugenia Kuzmina
    Eugenia Kuzmina
    • Beth
    Duke Mollner
    • Roughneck
    Sheri Foster
    Sheri Foster
    • The Driver
    • (as Sheri Foster Blake)
    Andrew Segal
    • Steve
    Jason Patric
    Jason Patric
    • True Crime Narrator
    • (voice)
    Giovanni Ribisi
    Giovanni Ribisi
    • Art Pallone
    • (voice)
    Robert Craighead
    Robert Craighead
    • Mitchell Mahoney
    • (voice)
    • Director
      • JT Mollner
    • Writer
      • JT Mollner
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews362

    7.059K
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    Summary

    Reviewers say 'Strange Darling' is a psychological thriller with a non-linear narrative that explores power dynamics and societal expectations. Giovanni Ribisi's cinematography is lauded for its artistry, while Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner deliver intense performances. The soundtrack enhances the suspenseful atmosphere. Some find the plot predictable and characters underdeveloped, but others appreciate its subversive storytelling and complex themes.
    AI-generated from the text of user reviews

    Featured reviews

    8RebelPanda

    Electrifying

    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.
    6CatDayAfternoon

    Entertaining...but EXTREMELY overrated

    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.
    9Josh-GenX

    Wow! Did not expect this! Very well made Independent Film

    I read a review that said do not read the reviews and go in to the theatre as blind as possible and that was great advice! I only saw the trailer one time. This was a beautifully shot 35 millimeter horror action thriller that is shown out of order for best shock and surprises, great lighting. Very well casted and acted. The action and gore FX, wardrobe, and car choices are all on point. I dont want to give anything away so will keep this review vague. Worth seeing in the theatre vs waiting to stream. This was far better than other recent horror films out including the lame Longlegs and the weird as hell Cuckoo movies. I highly recommend this film 8/10.
    5mwfair

    underwhelming

    I am not including any spoilers in case you want to watch it. I went into the movie based on the positive reviews. Wow was I disappointed. The acting was indeed phenomenal, but the story was a little ridiculous. I could have been a lot better had it been more believable but it veers away from believability about 1/2 way through, and just gets more predictable. The ending seemed to be a little rushed, not very well thought out, and just a "we need an end". Watch it, who knows you may like it. The rest of the review is to meet the character requirements. The movie is called Strange Darling, who knows where the title came from.
    6Mainecoon999

    Six Chapters of Slash Horror

    I am against all the highly overated, agressively marketed as "new masterpiece" movies because almost ninety nine point ninety nine of them turn out to be big dissapointments.

    I started watching Strange Darling with indifference in an empty gritty movie theater all by myself. It has a non linear editing style with a heavy synthetized bass soundtrack accompanying the shaky visuals. After the first chapter's dull horror, I realized this movie is different because of its non linear editing so this mystery kept me going. If not, I wanted to leave the theater because of messy indie movie scenes that I have watched maybe ten thousand times.

    Main characters were greatly portrayed and shaky cinematography turned into a neonish drug fueled nightmare when the movie's twist was served. Was it good enough? It obviously was that this low budget indie found its way in various movie theaters all around the world... But is it a horror masterpiece? Absolutely not. It is another non linear film with a twist that you porobably seen in every Shayamalan movies since 2000s.

    6/10 for its acting and non linear editing idea of producers.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Primarily known for his acting roles, this film marks Giovanni Ribisi's debut as a feature film cinematographer.
    • Goofs
      Despite hiding in an unplugged freezer and it being open for some time afterwards, the frost is still visible on the lid during the house's final scenes.
    • Quotes

      The Lady: Sometimes... I don't see humans. I see devils.

    • Crazy credits
      There's an audio clip at the end of the credits.
    • Connections
      Featured in Half in the Bag: Strange Darling (2024)
    • Soundtracks
      Love Hurts
      Written by Boudleaux Bryant

      Vocals by Z Berg and Keith Carradine

      Produced by Joe Keefe (as Joseph Keefe) and Z Berg

      All arrangement and instrumentation by Joe Keefe (as Joseph Keefe)

      Engineered by Joe Keefe (as Joseph Keefe) and Will McLellan

      Mixed by Joseph Lorge at Sound City

      Mastered by Patricia Sullivan at Bernie Grundman

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    FAQ19

    • How long is Strange Darling?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 23, 2024 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Asesino serial
    • Filming locations
      • Portland, Oregon, USA
    • Production companies
      • Miramax
      • Electric Lady
      • Spooky Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $4,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $3,083,595
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $1,142,928
      • Aug 25, 2024
    • Gross worldwide
      • $4,853,595
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 37m(97 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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