Many times I’ve gone into a movie without knowing anything about it beforehand. No trailers, no reviews, nothing, and been completely let down. You would think that no matter what film, going in and not knowing anything about it would be a bonus, to let the story that the filmmakers are trying to tell unfold before you as they intended. I still think that’s the best way to see a movie, to get the surprises they have in store for us when they want us to get them, without the spoilers of the internet, without watching a trailer that gives the entire plot away before you ever sit down in the theater (I’m looking at you here, Hide And Seek from 2005).
Strange Darling was not one of the countless films that have let me down over the years. It was fresh and original, a thriller for the ages on an indie budget. A film that you really need to see unaware for it to be as effective as it can be as a story. Telling you about it without ruining everything will be my challenge.
What can I even begin to tell you about Strange Darling that won’t give away the goat? I can tell you it was written and directed by JT Mollner and that the story was fantastic, the film was visually stunning. I can tell you part of the reason it looked so good is that it was shot on 35mm film, a great choice by the cinematographer Giovanni Ribisi (yes that Giovanni Ribisi) who it turns out has an incredible eye for detail and framing. I can tell you the film stars Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner, both of which turn in amazing and layered performances. I can tell you that the movie is presented to us in six chapters that are told in a nonlinear fashion, and I can tell you, you need to see this film. This movie is an onion that even Donkey would be impressed by. It never tips its hand, it purposefully tells you the information that it wants you to know and nothing else until it’s time to drop the curtain. It’s visceral, memorable, and mesmerizing.
Our Story Starts In A Hotel
Or rather our story starts in a hotel parking lot, while our two main characters are having a very interesting conversation in a pickup truck. The chemistry between Fitzgerald and Gallner is instantly apparent in this scene, both playing against type (of what we learn later) and both just lobbing their dialogue to the other, underhandedly, hitting easy home runs. I can tell you that Kyle Gallner‘s character is called The Demon and in this scene in particular you think you already have him figured out. You would be wrong. Gallner has put together quite the fun horror resume over the past ten years, starring in films such as Smile, Jennifer’s Body, The Passenger, and many many others. He is always consistent with his choices and seems to only do the films he finds interesting. It turns out we have a similar taste because lately if he’s involved that’s a big flashing neon sign telling me to watch it. This was no different, he hit it out of the park.
Of course, it takes two to tango as they say (who they are, I’ll never know) and in Strange Darling the other side of the coin, The Lady, was played by Willa Fitzgerald. She’s also an actor who has been making some very interesting choices lately, starring in season one of Reacher, the Scream franchise, and The Fall Of The House Of Usher. Here she is a huge mystery for the greater part of the film, her story unfolding as each new chapter is revealed. Of course with the film’s nonlinear editing, the chapters come out of order and things you think you know, you don’t. It’s pretty brilliant if you ask me, a way to say that without all the information people will believe one thing or another. When selective facts are presented it’s almost like it changes the narrative because it does. Okay, soapbox moment over, the important thing to take away here is that Fitzgerald was phenomenal in this role and I hope she keeps choosing interesting things to work on, she was going from scared to terrifying in the time it took me to blink and it was impressive to witness.
The film was written and directed by JT Mollner whose previous work includes the western Outlaws And Angels, with Strange Darling he continues to craft very layered and different stories. Something familiar but then when it comes down to it, something done in a way we haven’t necessarily seen before. It’s brilliant. As for the previously mentioned cinematography, Ribisi has spent years in front of the camera, from big budget films to tiny indie movies like Suburbia (one of my favorite sneaky films). His transition to crew member and creator has been seamless as far as I can tell. This film looks amazing and there is never a bit of wasted space. Everything is shot purposefully, not just to look cool, but to enhance and help the story. There is nothing bad to be said here.
The Final Chapter
I’ve tried my hardest to tell you about this film without giving anything away while still making you want to see it. This movie deserves everyone’s attention, it is so well done, so thought out, and so planned down to each of the tiniest details that even after you know the whole story, rewatching will be just as fun. Finding new clues and things you missed on previous views will become a pastime for some. Strange Darling was one of those sneaky films that came out of nowhere and blew me away, I didn’t know what to expect and I’m so glad that I didn’t, the film is better for it.
There is nothing I can say about this film in a negative light and there is so little I can say about it to convince you that you need to watch it without giving away all of the secrets so, in this case at least, you’re just going to have to take my word for it. The film is a thriller masterclass with a sleek mystery element and two leads who both deserve some kind of recognition for their work here.
Don’t wait to watch this movie, do it immediately. Then (like those annoying internet posts say) watch it again just for good measure. Strange Darling is an instant classic.
Strange Darling is available on VOD.
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