If there was ever a time to avoid spoilers for a film, Strange Darling is one you should avoid googling. For this reason, this review will remain shrouded in some mystery.
Opening in US theaters on August 23, 2024, and released to Blu-ray and DVD on November 5th through Magenta Light Studios, Strange Darling is a pulse-pounding, non-linear Horror Thriller that sinks its claws into the audience from the opening frame. Written and directed by JT Mollner (Outlaws and Angels 2016), the film marks a striking debut for Giovanni Ribisi as a cinematographer whose rich colors and dreamlike qualities create an unsettling blend of beauty and menace. Featuring standout performances by Kyle Gallner (Dinner in America 2020, Smile 2022) as The Demon and Willa Fitzgerald (The Goldfinch 2019, The Fall of the House of Usher 2023) as The Lady, the movie blurs the line between predator and prey. What begins as a seductive one-night stand unravels into a chilling cat-and-mouse game amidst a brutal serial killer’s rampage—where nothing is as it seems.
There is a unique thrill in the non-linear storytelling format—it invites the audience to piece together a puzzle, promising revelations along the way. Strange Darling takes this approach a step further, skillfully leveraging the audience’s real-world biases to add depth and complexity to the mystery, making the unfolding narrative even more compelling. It is hard not to be reminded of Tarantino’s 1994 feature Pulp Fiction while watching Strange Darling, not only because of its inventive structure but also due to its unapologetic violence and razor-sharp dialogue. Yet, while Strange Darling draws clear inspiration from Tarantino, it carves out its own identity, offering a fresh and distinct take on the genre that sets it apart.
The cinematography in Strange Darling is nothing short of mesmerizing, marking a remarkable debut for Ribisi behind the camera. His work is defined by a masterful interplay of rich, saturated colors and stark, shadowy contrasts that intensify the film’s edgy, unsettling tone. The color palette is particularly striking and highly intentional, with bold shades of red appearing in almost every scene. This choice serves to heighten the tension, evoking feelings of danger, passion, and violence that permeate the narrative. Matched to the dramatic intensity of the color palette, the score in the film is equally striking and integral to its atmosphere. The music has a primal vibe to it, tapping into raw, visceral emotions that amplify the feelings of fear and danger.
The performances by both leads are nothing short of captivating. Both Fitzgerald and Gallner inject a palpable intensity into the film, delivering layered portrayals that leave the audience constantly guessing. It takes a substantial part of the film to fully unravel the characters’ motivations, with each subtle shift in behavior heightening the suspense. Fitzgerald, in particular, excels at balancing vulnerability and strength, her nuanced performance keeping viewers on edge as her character’s true intentions remain shrouded in mystery. Together, their performances fuel the tension and psychological complexity at the core of the film. Gallner, who has undoubtedly earned his place as a ‘Scream King,’ makes subtle yet powerful choices that ground his portrayal of ‘The Demon’ in reality. With a relatively restrained, quiet performance, he balances the dynamic between the two characters, creating an unnerving contrast to the more overt energy of Fitzgerald’s role.
Strange Darling is an unforgettable experience, blending a twisty narrative with visually striking cinematography and powerhouse performances. Mollner’s direction, paired with Ribisi’s stunning debut as a cinematographer, elevates the film beyond typical genre fare, creating a world that is both mesmerizing and terrifying. Gallner and Fitzgerald’s performances anchor the psychological tension, leaving viewers captivated by the unpredictable dynamics between their characters.
With its bold choices, intricate storytelling, and masterful atmosphere, Strange Darling stands out in the Horror Thriller genre, offering a fresh and unsettling take that lingers long after the credits roll. This is why Cryptic Rock gives it 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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