Colin Farrell gets everyone hot and bothered in the trailer for The Beguiled, at least until the literal bodice ripping shifts to something more ominous.
The film is the latest from writer/director Sofia Coppola, who looks to be wallowing in the southern gothic setup. Her filmography has been a mixed bag, with Lost in Translation and The Virgin Suicides earning praise while The Bling Ring got some harsh criticism, but you can’t fault any of her films for lacking style. She’ll have plenty of opportunities to play to her strengths with this American Civil War period piece, and it could serve as a return to form for the erratic director.
Coppola’s got plenty of help from familiar faces here, with Kirsten Dunst being a regular collaborator and Elle Fanning returning for a second round. Several behind the scenes players have a history with the director as well, and even first time collaborators like Nicole Kidman, Angourie Rice (The Nice Guys), and Ooona Laurence (Pete’s Dragon) bring some serious chops.
The film will need to distinguish itself from its source material, the novel A Painted Devil, which was already adapted into the 1971 Clint Eastwood misfire also titled The Beguiled. Coppola appears to have shifted the story’s focus from the soldier to the cadre of women, and with an increased focus on the group caught unawares by Farrell’s charming soldier, the question of who exactly is beguiled in The Beguiled should get pretty complicated.
The Beguiled is directed by Sofia Coppola and stars Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst, and Colin Farrell. It will be released in the U.S. and the U.K. on June 23rd, 2017. For international release dates, click here.
Do you think The Beguiled will be a stylish good time? Let us know in the comments!
Does content like this matter to you?
Become a Member and support film journalism. Unlock access to all of Film Inquiry`s great articles. Join a community of like-minded readers who are passionate about cinema - get access to our private members Network, give back to independent filmmakers, and more.