You never realize how exhausting the streaming digital sheen of current cinema has become until something like “Strange Darling” comes around. Suddenly, you remember what it feels like to watch something that was FILMED and not so digitally saturated that nothing looks real and geography disappears. Even the most practical production design set pieces dissipate under the vibrant, blurred, video game color schemes and blended landscapes. This movie is a breath of fresh air, filmed on 35mm (and goes out of its way to tell you that) that displays such visceral grittiness it is impossible not to be completely enamored visually. It is a testament to how important the filmmaking aspects of filmmaking are to the final product, and how important cinematography is when you see it untainted by post digital production. That’s not to say digital cinematography is bad; I get it, that’s the technology of today and you can produce some incredible shot composition from that method. But man, there is just nothing like REAL film, and “Strange Darling” announces itself as something special by making these choices.
The 35mm filming is important to note because “Strange Darling” works best the less you know about it. Going in blind contributes to its thrills and twisty game of cat and mouse as events unravel. Because of that, I won’t really be able to take about the film itself. I have to talk around the film and all the things that make it great without revealing what happens. In the absolute shortest form I can give you, “Strange Darling” is written and directed by JT Mollner and stars Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald. It is best described as a dramatization of a prominent serial killer’s last known days. In addition to being shot on 35mm, it is shot by first time actor turned cinematographer Giovani Ribisi. Yes, THAT Giovani Ribisi, who instead of moving into directing or writing or producing, decided to move directly behind the camera as his first foray into non-performer filmmaking. And I gotta say, it is one hell of a DP debut. Ribisi successfully transfers a life in front of the camera to a keen eye behind it, framing a dark, twisted, psychosexual tale with impeccable vision. Hell, he even adds a split diopter shot, which will always win me over.
It helps that it is big with ideas yet small in scope. Mollner’s script is crafted with David Fincher level detail, which each beat and frame and line of dialogue meticulously curated in his mind, all of which lend Ribisi a big helping hand of specificity with how he needs to shoot. The “elevated horror/experimental thriller” genre has become somewhat oversaturated as of late, with far more hits than misses as each new auteur gets weirder and more niche with their concepts. It technically qualifies as part of this sub genre, but does it better than most by never letting its ideas get too far away from them. Everything feels simultaneously contained yet chaotic, grounded yet surreal, with Mollner riding a fine line between the scales that usually tip and topple over other similar attempts. Or at the very least, leave a lot to be desired and polarizes audiences. “Strange Darling” will surely leave some polarized given its subject matter, but it never allows any subversions to be its only hoo, which is the kind of thing that often causes stumbles in the elevated sub genres.
In addition to great work behind the camera, Gallner and Fitzgerald are absolutely mesmerizing. Gallner has been racking up points on the thriller/horror scoreboard, with terrific performances in things like “The Passanger” and “Smile,” and “Strange Darling” is no exception to his solid run and might be his best work to date. Gallner has electric chemistry with Fitzgerald, who turns in a star making performance. There’s no weak link here, but it’s Fitzgerald who runs away with it all in every single frame. While not new to the scene, “Strange Darling” is a breakout role for her, one that she loses herself in completely and keeps you guessing constantly. Along with Gallner, she is daring and unhindered by any inhibitions that a challenging role like this would stifle other performers. Fitzgerald is absolutely fearless, wholly committed to Mollner’s twisted tale. They sadly don’t give out Oscars for horror performances – which is criminal in and of itself – but if they did, Fitzgerald would be a contender. Yes, she’s THAT good here. In the great, everlasting words of Pearl, “SHE’S A STAR!”
It is a non-linear story, told in six chapters that bounce around out of order as the mystery unfolds. This actually services the narrative instead of convolutes it, keeping you on the edge of your seat as each new chapter adds another puzzle piece and twist you didn’t see coming. Even if you did, no amount of predictability subtracts from the thrills, with Mollner’s taut, fast paced script leaving little room to catch your breath and Gallner and Fitzgerald so compelling onscreen it doesn’t matter what you’ve figured out. The journey never loses its allure, barreling ahead with unrelenting intensity. It is both unsettling and funny, with plenty of humorous moments that relieve the tension once in a while to let you reset before the next “HOLY SHIT” moment hits you. Yet another challenging layer added to their characters – having to be funny without being a parody while also being haunting and unnerving as hell – both Gallner and Fitzgerald are up to the task and tackle everything “Strange Darling” asks of them.
Everything just works here. The score is great, the neon laced cinematography injects style into its grit, the story is a myriad of twists that fly by at a breakneck pace and pulse pounding thrills, Mollner’s script and directorial talents exude confidence, the sound design rules, and the performances are unmatched. Even its dark themes of sex, consent, control, kinks, longing, connection, weaponized victimhood, and violence are all handled with great care, and while one could make the argument that these things being in the hands of a man probably aren’t the best for some of these topics, it never feels irresponsible or uniformed. “Strange Darling” is the kind of film we keep saying we want but then don’t go see, which is how we end up with a thousand prequels and unnecessary sequels. We have to support films like this because these are the kinds of movies that deserve it and need it if you ever want to watch anything that isn’t Marvel or Disney again.
“Strange Darling” takes all the familiarity of erotic crime thrillers into unfamiliar territory, giving you something you know in a package you haven’t seen. It is never restricted by anything which allows it to do everything. It is a must see, and one of the best hidden gems of the year so far. Do not let anyone spoil “Strange Darling” for you. Avoid trailers and detailed reviews and buy your ticket a blind as you possibly can. Trust me, it’s work being in the dark for this thrill ride.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go make the most offensive breakfast you’ve ever seen plated in a movie.
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
“Strange Darling” arrives in theaters August 23rd. You can watch the trailer below.
