Promising Young Woman

I remember seeing the trailer for this film before it came out, and it's very striking. It seemed funny, but kind of scary, and that's indeed what this film is.

I think the casting for this is great, because a lot of guys in this world seem so friendly, but hide this darkness. Most abstain from the evil that runs through their minds, but a few give in.

The stark image mirroring reality is a hard thing to stomach, as you watch this movie, especially near the end, but director/writer Emerald Fennell is phenomenal, and shows us a character who chooses to divert the plans of rapists using herself as the bait.

Mulligan plays the character well, showing the unexpected emotions that pop up when she develops feelings for the Bo Burnham character. As the plot progresses, ups and downs and multiple events happen that make this a roller coaster, with a smirk of dark humor ingrained in the final product. It's a hard film to sit through, because we know who's lurking outside the theater, in the real world.

I recommend this for adults, who can take a little chocolate and whip cream on their poison. (Dark comedy and thriller fans.)

"I'm a nice guy." "Are you?"

Carrie Mulligan is, as always, fantastic, and I love how 'Promising Young Woman' mixed in some elements of comedy and even romance into what was such a searing indictment of rape culture. For a film making such a strong statement, it's layered and intelligent, bringing out emotional aspects not usually present in revenge-type films. Instead of indulging in the bloodlust of a killing spree, it has her character trying to make others feel something - what it's like to be deceived, frightened, vulnerable, exploited, humiliated, or scarred for life.

The film goes after not just the bros who believe themselves to be nice guys and offer pathetic excuses for their behavior, but also the power structure protecting them, and it does so in a stylish way (that soundtrack!). The conversation with the dean of the medical school who looked the other way because she didn't want to """ruin a young man's life""" was particularly devastating, and yet isn't that what happens all the time? The film plays out in unexpected ways which is a part of its strength, and I was impressed that it threaded the needle between being depressing and uplifting. It felt emblematic of the era, and powerful.

The subject matter is still sadly something that still needs to be taken seriously in today's society. Needs to be shown especially to college & high school students. Carrie did such a great job, I've never seen her play anything similar to this.

Wow - an acting masterclass from Carey Mulligan. And if this film can make one person think twice about taking advantage of someone who can't defend themself it has done it's job. But it's a lot more than a film that sends a powerful message. It is sinister entertainment at its best. Wonderful.

Promising Young Woman is a stunningly original revenge drama that shocks you, offers loads of dark humour and the same time makes you reassess every mildly sexist or politically incorrect statement/thought you have made/had in your life.

Director Emerald Fennel turns the mirror on all of us, ripping her narrative right from the headlines of famous sexual harassment stories happening around us.

Carey Mulligan is electric as the troubled 'Cassie', still reeling from the shock of losing her best friend. It is no surprise she got the nod for an Oscar Best Actress nomination.

Bo Burnham and Jennifer Coolidge shine in the supporting roles.

The best revenge thriller since Django Unchained for me. Two hours went by so fast, I didn't even realise it.

A must watch!

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