The hype surrounding thriller/horror films has become a massive problem to the fans of the genre recently, with films like Osgood Perkins’ Longlegs and Danny and Michael Phillipou’s Talk to Me from the past year debuting to rave reviews at festivals. The movies were both claimed to be some of the best horror films of the last decade.
With these expectations lingering in the back of their minds, audience members may experience a higher chance of disappointment as they expect these films to be regarded as new favorites. In the case of JT Mollner’s Strange Darling, the film debuted at Fantastic Fest last year to positive reviews that stayed incredibly vague about the story.
The screening I attended had a post-film Q&A with the director and some of the cast. In that Q&A, JT Mollner asked if everybody would keep their reviews and reactions spoiler-free, so I will honor that request as I agree the film shouldn’t be ruined. Walking into this, I had high expectations, as most reviews I read described the experience as if it were an insane nightmare of horrific proportions, and while I don’t agree with that at all, I still had a great time.
Strange Darling follows two characters named The Lady played by Willa Fitzgerald (Reacher, The Fall of The House of Usher), and The Demon played by Kyle Gallner (Smile, Scream). The two have a one-night stand that turns vicious when a serial killer goes on a killing spree. One of the highest praises of the film is that the production evokes a feeling of watching a long-lost movie from the late 70s.
As soon as the film opens, a narrated text intro fills the audience in on the details of the serial killer as if it were the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre, creating an eerie atmosphere without showing a single shot from the film. Afterwards, another title card says it was shot entirely on 35mm film stock. One of the most shocking aspects about the film is that actor Giovanni Ribisi did the cinematography and, to my knowledge, I don’t think there have been any big actors turned cinematographers, an impressive stat given that this movie has some of the best shots of the year.
You can tell that there was a lot of improvisation behind the camera since I don’t think one shot repeats in the entire film. In doing so, this makes the story that much more interesting for the audience as they won’t expect what the next shot that the characters are in will look like. On top of this, Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner both give incredibly dynamic performances, as they’re always in a different place emotionally than the scene before.
Including the unique shots and performances, the film is told in a non-linear fashion throughout six chapters. One second you’ll be in the middle of the film, and the next will go back to the beginning to give the audience context about the situation. While this technique works to keep the audience on its toes, it does hinder the pacing of the film at times. As I mentioned, the film will be in an intense sequence and then cut out of this to show a conversation that provides context from earlier in the story.
Another problem with this aspect is that the twist it introduces halfway into the story could’ve still worked just as, if not more effectively if it had been shown chronologically. Towards the end of the film, the story becomes tired as it keeps repeating the same narrative beats in slightly varying ways. I was on the edge of my seat during the first hour, but the last thirty-six minutes, while still entertaining, didn’t impress me as much as the first two acts.
Strange Darling is a great film that will surely be a hit among horror fans. Its unique cinematography, ferocious performances, and engaging story provide edge-of-your-seat sequences, entertaining characters, and some really gorey kills. While the film’s structure affects the pacing at times, and the narrative becomes repetitive in the third act, it manages to be a unique time at the movies that are worth a watch.
Strange Darling was written and directed by JT Mollner, produced by Giovanni Ribisi, and stars Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. The film is to be released on August 23, 2024.
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