A Sinister Chase Through the Heart of Darkness

Read Time:3 Minute, 42 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Strange Darling
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Genre: Dark Romance, Romance, Thriller
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 1h 36m
Director(s): JT Mollner
Writer(s): JT Mollner
Cast: Willa Fitzgerald, Kyle Gallner, Jason Patric, Giovanni Ribisi, Ed Begley Jr., Barbara Hershey, Steven Michael Quezada
Where To Watch: releasing in Los Angeles and New York, beginning August 12, 2024, with its official release on August 23

RAVING REVIEW: From the opening scene, JT Mollner’s STRANGE DARLING grabs your attention and refuses to let go, setting a baseline for this thriller. The film isn’t just a sequence of chilling events—it's a deep dive into a labyrinth where every corner turned offers more puzzles than answers. As it plays with narrative expectations, the film crafts a suspense-filled odyssey that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.

The story begins ominously in the American West with a notorious serial killer's terror spree but quickly shifts gears. The camera follows Willa Fitzgerald, portraying a woman whose harrowing escape from a brutal pursuer forms the crux of the narrative. Her desperate drive in a rundown Ford Pinto, with Kyle Gallner's chillingly calm antagonist in pursuit, sets a relentless pace. Gallner, cold and calculating, adds a depth of menace that makes every frame he occupies unnervingly tense.

Structured through six non-linear chapters, STRANGE DARLING challenges the conventional storytelling flow. This method may disorient some but draws the audience deeper into the intricacies of its plot. The dynamic between the pursued and the pursuer, obscured by a deliberately fractured timeline, ratchets the tension to almost unbearable levels.

Visually, the film is a throwback to the gritty horrors of the 70s, captured beautifully by Giovanni Ribisi in his cinematographic debut. The use of 35mm film enhances the visual texture and, along with the evocative sound design, contributes to an eerie and immersive atmosphere. Each scene, purposefully framed and lit, pulls the viewer deeper into the film’s unsettling world.

Fitzgerald’s performance is particularly noteworthy; she navigates her character’s extreme situations, relying on raw emotional power that captivates and terrifies. Gallner’s understated menace is the perfect counterbalance, his presence looming large over the film’s tense atmosphere. The casting of Barbara Hershey and Ed Begley Jr. adds a seasoned presence, with their performances leaving an indelible mark despite limited time on screen.

The complex narrative might alienate those who prefer linear storytelling, and the action's pacing sometimes will challenge a viewer's expectations, especially as the film approaches its climax.

The film’s strengths significantly outweigh any perceived weaknesses. STRANGE DARLING ventures into dark themes of control, survival, and the human psyche, enriched by Mollner’s sharp, darkly humorous script. The minimal dialogue shifts the focus to its powerful visual storytelling and haunting score, ensuring the film’s eerie mood lingers long after the credits roll.

STRANGE DARLING is a genre-defying blend of thriller, horror, psychological drama, and dark comedy. It challenges viewers to engage with its narrative complexity and depth. This film is a bold statement in genre filmmaking, celebrating the power of creative storytelling and thematic exploration. While it may not cater to everyone's tastes, STRANGE DARLING offers a profoundly memorable and engaging experience for those who appreciate boundary-pushing cinema.

@strangedarling.film

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[photo courtesy of MAGENTA LIGHT STUDIOS]

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