Strange Darling Spoiler Movie Review

Director J.T. Mollner directs one of the most original exciting horror movies of the year and uses out of order storytelling the best since Tarantino

Nothing is what it seems when a twisted one-night stand spirals into a serial killer’s vicious murder spree. J.T Mollner subverts your expectations in the best way possible with the best use of out of order storytelling since Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction but making it his own. The performances from the 2 main leads are stellar they keep you on your toes wondering what’s going to happen next and to put the pieces together that gets you involved as an audience member. The technical aspects of the film are phenomenal the cinematography by actor Giovani Ribisi which was such a pleasant shock to find out is so beautiful visually but also is brilliant in how those colors help tell the story.

J.T Mollner has now launched himself as one of the most exciting directors to watch out for the way he is able to find a new angle on the serial killer story is fantastic his use of color is very unique like the scene when the lady and the demon are flirting and making out in the car at the beginning her being in red and he being in blue give this scene a distinct look. Mollner’s movement of the camera is so dynamic for example the car chase in the beginning of the film so thrilling, terrifying, and unpredictable putting you in the lady’s point of view when you don’t know the context of the scene on first viewing then it its thrilling in a completely different way because who you are cheering for is not the same. I love how Mollner shoots conversation scenes like when the lady and the demon are talking with her being in a refrigerator that is tipped over is awesome it pulls you in the over the shoulder shots, the slightly Dutch angle close ups give the scene a lot of energy that leaps off the screen. The choice in the final scene to just hold on Fitzgerald as lady takes a lot of guts and trust from director to actor that they can keep your attention the whole time and she does in spades which a great ending to the film.

The 2 lead actors of the film help with that immensely starting with Willa Fitzgerald as the lady is fantastic she asked to do a lot in this film in order to keep you as the view guessing from being seemly the victim running from a crazy killer, to turning that on a dime when meeting the old couple killing them revealing her to be the serial killer the ruthlessness in her eyes is terrifying and Fitzgerald conveys all of that so well. The vulnerability she shows in the kitchen scene is amazing to watch she’s a serial killer, yet she can covey there is a little bit of humanity underneath all the mania. Kyle Gallner playing the demon can match her step for step throughout the film he brilliantly makes you think there is something off about him when they are having their meet cute then is a psychopathic killer then tuns that on a dime to make you realize he is the one who is in danger from a monster. The details he gives the character are great like when he hints that he has a history of getting himself into shitty situations which make the character so interesting.

The script for the film is so well written I mentioned the Tarantino influences but the way he uses the out of order structure to make this film feel fresh is awesome the way he can have you think one thing is happening then completely recontextualize those scenes by revealing new information. The themes of betrayal, preconceived notions, and survival are explored in the film beautifully because of the structure of the film it makes them feel like they are new again which is a difficult task for a filmmaker to accomplish. The dialogue in the film is great as well the scenes of the two of them just talking and filtering are so engaging in the beginning, they make you think the film is one thing so when the twists and turns come, they surprise the hell out of you as an audience member.

Final thoughts on Strange Darling is I loved this film and will be on my top 10 list it’s a prime example to people who say there isn’t any more original films this is a rebuttal against that you just have to seek them out a little bit I will give this film a 4 and half out of 5 please seek it out on Blu-ray or on digital.