STRANGE DARLING

Strange Darling is one unforgettable thriller that grips viewers immediately and takes them on a heart pounding and shocking ride unlike anything you have ever experienced, that thanks to the sensational performances of Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner, makes not only for one of the best films of the year, but one of the best thrillers in recent memory.

2024 has been a strong year for thrillers and horror films, with critically acclaimed and box office hits films like Longlegs, Late Night with the Devil and Trap, and Strange Darling is not only a great addition to strong year of releases, but it marks one of the best films of the year for the genre. Once the film gets going, it is evidently clearly why creative masters of the genre like Stephen King and Mike Flanagan are raving about this independent thriller, because it is one twisted and startling film that you won’t ever forget. And it's all thanks to the talented writing and direction from JT Mollner who unleashes a wicked and relentless story on audiences, brought to life by two dazzling performances from Willa Fitz Gerald and Kyle Gallner and cinematography that you will instantly be lost in from Giovanni Ribisi.

There are some films that you have to go into absolutely blind with no knowledge of what is going to unfold on screen to ensure that every story best hits you like a freight train, and Strange Darling is one of those films. So for this reason, this review will not comment on the story other than to say that Mollner has crafted one insanely clever and relentless thriller. Told in six chapters, but not in chronological order, Mollner purposefully influences the audience’s perception of the film with the opening scenes, slowly revealing the events that occurred before it, ensuring that every twist he serves up hits the audience like a freight train. It’s exceptional writing that weaponizes themes of gender dynamics and hookups to conjure up one unforgettable thriller, full of shocking, bloody and violent moments that may be too intense for some viewers, but for those up who are able to stomach it, they are in for one outstanding, nail-biting ride. This all allows Strange Darling to be one of the most brilliant thrillers of its kind in recent memory that will leave audiences speechless.

All of Strange Darling hinges on the one two punch of its leading performances, and Fitzgerlad and Gallner not only knock it out of the park, but each give a career best performance. Gallner is one of the best modern scream kings with memorable horror films like Smile, Scream (2022), and The Passenger, and not only does he perfectly chew up every second of screen time he has in this film, he does so with a grit and strength that lets his talent explode across the screen. The intensity that Gallner brings to his character as he chases down Fitzgerald’s character evokes the determination of a Terminator with an uncontrollable rage, but there are also moments of levity and caring that makes Gallner’s character a complex individual who finds himself in an unthinkable situation. Fitzgerald, on the other hand, runs away with the entire film with a tour de force performance. Coming off an excellent performance in last year’s miniseries The Fall of the House of Usher, Fitzgerald delivers a career making performance in Strange Darling that will garner her the attention she has been long overdue after her work in Scream: The TV Series, Reacher, and The Goldfinch. Within each scene, Fitzgerald brings a vulnerability to the role that instantly makes you care for her character and her survival as she is chased by Gallner, but also with a hint of darkness that Fitzgerald unravels over the course of the film to help deliver both the shocking twist that audiences won’t be able to stop talking about and one unforgettable character.

Shooting on 35mm yields incredible results, giving the imagery we see on screen a dreamlike quality, which allows the nightmare story that unfolds in Strange Darling to become a waking hell. Shot by actor Ribisi in his first feature film as a cinematographer, there is a candy-like quality to the colours that make the film a vibrant visual experience that captures the natural elegance of the Pacific Northwest. The clarity in the and richness in the reds, blacks and blues allow viewers to get lost in every still, while details such as every puff of smoke and grain of grass leaps of the screen with a striking beauty. Complementing the visuals is a strong musical score from Craig DeLeon, which relies heavily on booming sounds akin to the musical scores of Hans Zimmer to create a distressing soundscape to the film that fuels its story. On top of DeLeon’s original score, there is a great soundtrack of original songs composed and performed by Z Berg which matches the tone of the film perfectly, that gives an eerie quality to the audio experience of the film that only makes the final act feel that much more twisted.

Every year or two, there is one film that is so shocking and startling that it has audiences talking about it long after they watch it, urging their friends to see the film before its big reveal is spoiled, and this year that honour belongs to Strange Darling. JT Mollner has crafted one unique, twisted and genius thriller that is directed to perfection and told in an unconventional manner, which amplifies that nerve wracking experience viewers will have watching this film. Headlined by two marvellous performances from Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner, beautifully shot by Giovanni Ribisi and with one wicked story that you won’t ever forget, JT Mollner’s sophomore feature film becomes one haunting cinematic experience that ensures you will be left speechless by the sheer brilliance of Strange Darling.