FrightFest 2024: In love and murder, anything goes in Strange Darling

In today's world, you always have to be up to date, whether it's the news, the latest trends or the vocabulary of Generation Z. But this is especially true in the world of online dating. It's difficult to open up in the first place, but it's even more complicated when you decide to meet in person, especially for women who may know very little about the man they want to meet in person. When we meet someone, most of the time it happens in a social setting. There is a sense of equality when you're around a lot of people, but when you're alone, that equality can be lost as the embarrassed turn out to be wolves. With an attitude of trust but verification, Strange darling comes into conversation. Not everyone is who they say they are, and while it can be a highly entertaining, thrilling ride for a horror film, the idea of ​​a serial killer looking for love is terrifying for anyone who swipes left.

I did my best and was able to avoid many spoilers about Strange darling. The details revealed by Kyle Gallner (Scream 5, Smile, Jennifer's Body) Hunt for Willa Fitzgerald (Scream: The Series) was really all I needed to know. Dinner in America And The hour of purificationGallner had my greatest support. The characters he plays are bold, atypical Hollywood roles and he was always an excellent addition to a cast. In the course of Strange darlingI feel the same way about Fitzgerald. The actress delivers a breathtaking performance in the lead role, which follows her role in Mike Flannigan's The Fall of the House of Usher, should hopefully catapult the charming star to more great opportunities like this one.

If you are still considering Strange darlingit's best to go in blind or knowing as little as possible. Stop reading the review now, don't watch the trailer, go to the cinema and let director JT Mollner's fantastic cat-and-mouse thriller blow your mind. If you're still with me after the warning, I won't venture into spoiler territory. However, considering how cleverly crafted Strange darling is that even a small inkling can plant a seed that hints at its secrets. Horror fans, this is the most twisted and subversive stalker-killer movie we haven't seen in a long time, boldly put together in a Tarrentinoesque grindhouse package and lovingly shot in 35mm. To say the film gets my highest recommendation isn't even telling the story halfway.

Playing with perception, Strange darling begins with a desperate Fitzgerald fleeing from an angry Gallner in a cherry red 1978 Ford Pinto. In the credits, these characters are identified as the Lady and the Demon and in Chainsaw massacre in Texas Style that the following is based on a true story about a serial killer who operated in the mid to northwest of the country, with this story marking the end of their series. It is also clarified that this story is told in six parts and begins with chapter three. Normally, the idea of ​​jumping around in the story would be a red flag. However, Strange darling uses the motif of the disjointed narrative to its advantage, concealing one twist after another.

Beginning with a pulse-pounding chase scene, Mollner throws the audience into a story already in progress and makes them perceive events without context. He manages to set a harrowing tone, but also forces the audience to react to the developing situation and judge it based on first impressions and actions. The audience is led by the clever storyteller who has omitted all background information and rebuilds it through flashbacks and flashforwards, thus Strange darling with a subversive story like we have seen since Christopher Nolan’s Memory.

One of the other highly acclaimed actors in Mollner’s film was actor Giovanni Ribisi (Ted, Avatar) was behind the camera as the film's cinematographer. Although it wasn't Ribisi's first foray into camera work, he did additional camera work on behind-the-scenes footage for the 2005 film The 4000. Flight of the Phoenixand music videos for Icelandic melody maker Jónsi and alt-rocker Beck. Ribisi's work in shooting some key scenes is verbose, handling intimacy and wide-open spaces with natural ease, never struggling to maintain a tense atmosphere, even when most of the film takes place in daylight. The way the final images work is also unforgettable.

Thematically, there are concerns. The provocative conversation topics and tiny interactions between the lady and the demon are some of the most gripping. The most intimate scenes are made passionately shocking by a consensual discussion of BDSM. But audiences learn more as more threats emerge on screen. I think we'll see reviews with harsh views of The Lady and the Demon in its opening weekend. Strange Treasure'S Violence and perhaps also didactic criticism of the use of cigarettes in the film. I also have concerns when it comes to films with a high chaos factor and leave the 2019 film joker He said: “I liked it, but I'm worried about the audience that will flock to it.”

Yes, there will be some who misunderstand the intention of the film, like fraternities with posters of Travis Bickle or Fight Club Posters may have the concepts behind Taxi driver or like buying a poster for Fight Club literally contradicts the film's anti-consumerist ideas. Once you have seen Strange darling, You'll probably understand where I'm coming from and how troubling his antagonist's mental health is. Still, I think the film starts from a place where every cause has an effect and consequences flow from the characters' actions. Even smoking cigarettes has consequences, even when they are glorified on celluloid. That's the point. The danger lurks in misperceptions, false beliefs, false assumptions and misinformation.

Doesn't matter, Strange darling is an intense, non-stop rollercoaster ride that doesn't let up until the credits roll. It's a pithy commentary with certain divisive tactics that will likely generate conversation, hate, and praise. This could establish JT Mollner as a new age provocateur, or at least a Tinder alerter. The discussions that take place after watching the film could also be the most revealing litmus test based on how people respond to the conversation.

Strange darling is currently playing in US theaters. The film also celebrated its international premiere at FrightFest on August 24th. Strange darling will have a wider UK premiere on September 20th, courtesy of Icon Film Distribution.