Strange Darling (2023) Review – A Hackneyed Gimmick Hiding A Problematic Script
Strange Darling: Quick Verdict
The Verdict: A style-over-substance thriller that relies entirely on its non-linear presentation to mask a woefully thin and predictable plot. While JT Mollner’s decision to film on 35mm provides a polished aesthetic, and Willa Fitzgerald delivers a standout performance, the film is ultimately dragged down by a remedial script and a troubling, misogynistic subtext. It is an exercise in pretension that borrows heavily from superior filmmakers without ever finding its own voice. For all its attempts to subvert expectations, it remains an uninspired and remarkably dull experience that fails to live up to the immense critical hype. A 2.5-star slog that is as problematic as it is unremarkable.
Details: Director: JT Mollner | Cast: Willa Fitzgerald, Kyle Gallner, Ed Begley Jr., Barbara Hershey | Runtime: 1h 36m | Release Date: 23 August 2024
Best for: Fans of non-linear storytelling who value style over narrative depth, and those who enjoy 35mm cinematography.
Worth noting: The film is presented in six chapters, though the opening title cards state it was shot entirely on 35mm film, a point the director is clearly very proud of.
Where to Watch: Amazon🛒
Rating: 2.5/5 Stars
(Standout Willa Fitzgerald, polished visuals, predictable and problematic story)
Welcome to Knockout Horror. Today we are checking out a movie that is causing a bit of a stir at the moment – Strange Darling (2023).
This movie was originally released in 2023 but only seems to be filtering through to major audiences now. It follows the story of a game of cat and mouse that takes place after a one-night stand between a man and a woman. A notorious serial killer is on the loose, and there appears to be some link between the canoodling couple and the psychopath stalking the streets.
Highlights
There’s so much hype for this one
People will not shut the hell up about this movie. It is currently sitting at a 90%+ fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an over 7.5 user score on IMDb. Honestly, I am not sure I get it. Presented in a non-linear format spread over six distinct chapters, we kick things off as the story is already in progress. We then flick back to an earlier chapter which provides a bit of exposition, only to then dip back into the future again.
“When the only way you can surprise a viewer is by presenting your story out of time and out of context, you are probably lacking in creativity.”
Piecing together the story means witnessing the entire sequence of events play out out of order. It’s extremely reminiscent of some non-genre films that made a lot of waves in Hollywood. Strange Darling borrows liberally from movies like Pulp Fiction and attempts to pass it off as completely original. It’s not! It has been done to death and done much better by other directors. In horror, however, this is a fairly new concept.
In my opinion, this non-linear format is used to hide a story that is woefully dull and entirely predictable. If this was presented traditionally, people’s opinions about Strange Darling would be far less effusive. It would be very easy to see what was coming, and it would offer no surprises at all.
Subverting expectation is an integral part of the horror genre. Twists are an important plot device and can make or break an otherwise average movie. When the only way you can surprise a viewer is by presenting your story out of time and out of context, you are probably lacking in creativity. Especially when you feel the need to even bring character naming into the mix.
Completely predictable and rather problematic
Despite this presentation, it is very easy to see what is coming, and the surprises are, for the lack of a better way to put it, not all that surprising. My fiancée called out the big twist within the first five minutes, and we spent the rest of the movie predicting what would happen next. Outside of the non-linear format, this is a formulaic thriller with little to offer.
“There is a very strong ‘don’t believe everything women say’ vibe permeating the entire film.”
The biggest problem, in my eyes, is the message that this movie sends. It is hard to go into detail while avoiding spoilers but, suffice to say, there are big issues here. There is a misogynistic tinge to the entire story. I can’t shake the feeling that someone involved with development was accused of something by a woman and decided to get back at women as a whole, by influencing this story.
There is a very strong “don’t believe everything women say” vibe permeating the entire film. Something which, on the surface, makes sense. We shouldn’t take what anybody, regardless of gender, says at face value. But, considering the events of the movie, it all seems woefully problematic. Considering Strange Darling producer Giovanni Ribisi was a staunch defender of convicted rapist Danny Masterson, it’s hard not to raise an eyebrow.
A few good points
Director JT Mollner proudly proclaims, at the start of the movie, that the entire thing was filmed on 35mm. While this is a nice hint at the pretension of the creator, it’s also somewhat necessary as this felt rather uninspired and bland for something which was filmed traditionally.
“Willa Fitzgerald does a great job as ‘The Lady,’ providing a spark that, literally, none of the other cast members manage to bring.”
I honestly wouldn’t have been able to tell had Mollner not gone out of his way to inform the audience. Still, some of the shots demand a little more praise given the additional complexity. Strange Darling is a pretty nice looking movie.
Willa Fitzgerald does a great job as “The Lady,” providing a spark that, literally, none of the other cast members manage to bring. Outside of Kyle Gallner, as “The Demon,” nobody else in the movie can act worth a damn. Every single performance is painfully wooden.
Dialogue is horrible, which doesn’t make things any better. This is a painfully remedial script, actually cringeworthy at times, in fact. There are a few laughs here and there but most of that is due to Fitzgerald’s use of facial expressions and decent comedy timing.
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
The Good
- Willa Fitzgerald: Easily the highlight of the film. She brings a necessary energy and charisma that the rest of the cast lacks.
- 35mm Visuals: The film does look great, with the traditional film stock providing a texture and depth that stands out.
The Bad
- Predictability: Once you strip away the jumbled timeline, the “twists” are incredibly easy to spot from a mile away.
- Wooden Performances: Aside from the two leads, the acting is remarkably stiff and amateurish.
- The Script: Painfully remedial dialogue that often borders on the cringeworthy.
The Ugly: The misogynistic undercurrent. The “don’t believe everything women say” theme feels targeted and deeply uncomfortable given the real-world context of the production team.
Should You Watch Strange Darling?
In my opinion, no. It is an overrated, formulaic thriller that tries to hide its lack of creativity behind a non-linear gimmick. Unless you are a die-hard fan of the cast or the specific 35mm aesthetic, there are far better and more original thrillers out there to spend your time on.
Our Scoring Philosophy: A Fair Fight
Horror is a genre that thrives thanks to indie film makers and low budget creators. At Knockout Horror, we firmly believe that every movie that we review deserves a fair fight. That's why we grade on a curve. Our star ratings are all about context, judging a film on what it achieves with the resources it has.
A 4-star rating for a scrappy indie horror made for $10,000 is a testament to its ingenuity and raw power. A 4-star rating for a $100 million blockbuster means it delivered on its epic promises. We don't compare them side-by-side; we celebrate success in every weight class, from the back-alley brawler to the heavyweight champion. Please keep this in mind when considering star ratings.
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