“Strange Darling”
R/Thriller/96 Mins
Directed/Written by: JT Mollner
Starring: Willa Fitzgerald (“The Fall of the House of Usher”), Kyle Gallner (“Dinner in America”), Barbara Hershey (“Insidious”), Ed Begley Jr. (“A Mighty Wind”), Steven Michael Quezada (“Breaking Bad”), Madisen Beaty (“Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood”)
Review: Nowadays, it is almost impossible to go into a movie “completely in the dark” with no knowledge of what you’re about to see. Half the time you’re so excited for a film that you watch every trailer and almost every time, they reveal too much. Other times, if you try to avoid promotional materials, movie theaters will play the trailer before any film you see. Another issue is spoilers and thanks to social media, nothing is a well kept secret. I got lucky with “Strange Darling.” Since I have never been to “Fantastic Fest,” this film flew under my radar when it premiered at the festival back in 2023. 2 months ago, when the trailer and poster dropped, it was brought to my attention and almost everyone on social media said it’s best to go in knowing nothing. With this in mind, I avoided the trailer like the plague. All I knew was that it starred Kyle Gallner & Willa Fitzgerald in a motel room and there is some kind of cat and mouse-type chase between the two. I’m glad that’s all I knew…This is the best and most unique movie theater experience I’ve had this year.
Like I mentioned before, the best way to experience this wonderful piece of filmmaking is to know NOTHING. Therefore, the only tidbit of information I will give is that it centers around a one night stand at a motel in a small town. What follows is sex, drugs and indie rock ‘n’ roll…
There’s also some shooting, a bit of stabbing, lots of running, delicious-looking breakfast food and putting together a Chachi from “Happy Days” puzzle. Confused? GOOD.
I feel like I even have to tiptoe around talking about the performances between the two leads, Willa Fitzgerald & Kyle Gallner. Both are striking and captivating as “The Lady” and “The Demon,”giving us vulnerable, brave and unhinged performances. Both are complex and layered characters where their limited backstory is given through small conversations and revelations. There’s a lot more than what meets the eye regarding these two. Willa Fitzgerald, in particular, needs to start that campaign for an Oscar for Best Actress because this is a star-making performance. I expect to see her in tons of projects after this film opens.
Director/writer JT Mollner should campaign as well. This filmmaker has crafted a film that is beautifully shot with camera work that was meticulously planned in such a way that helps piece together this puzzle of a story. Additionally, I would like to compliment actor-turned Cinematographer Giovanni Ribisi. As a performer growing up on the other side of the camera, it’s interesting to see his vision from the other side of the lens.
There are shots throughout that are framed in a way where it changes your perspective on a character or the reality of a situation. Sometimes it happens in the same sequence, when you expect it to go left, it goes right and all bets are off on what is going to happen next. In addition, its hypnotizing colors and the use of 35mm film stock make this film a feast for the eyes.
This screenplay is one of the best and most uniquely structured stories I have seen in years. I won’t divulge why, but from an audience standpoint, my jaw was on the floor when it’s revealed how this story was going to be told. It’s happened before in films but it still felt fresh and different and I knew this experience was going special.
Lastly, one of the MANY great things about this film is the trance-inducing, chilling soundtrack composed and performed by music artist, Z Berg. While writing my review, I just saw that pre-orders for the soundtrack vinyl are about to begin. I haven’t planned to pre-order a vinyl that quickly in awhile. Filled with mesmerizing original songs and a haunting cover of The Everly Brothers’ “Love Hurts,” it feels like a record that escaped a David Lynch project. The music is used in a way where it’s a part of the story but also elevates the film’s atmosphere.
I could talk about “Strange Darling” for hours. I could go into more about this film but it would reveal too much. I won’t be that type of critic. It’s a film you just have to see to believe. Believe the hype. There are many films you will see this year and the options at the theater are plentiful. I promise you will not see a film this year as original, unique or nail-bitingly intense as “Strange Darling.”
SUPPORT ORIGINAL FILMS! RUN TO SEE THIS MOVIE IN A THEATER!
Score: 10/10
“Strange Darling” is in theaters starting August 23rd.
GET TICKETS HERE:
https://app.powster.com/magenta-light-studios/strange-darling/us/
