Movies have fallen into a trap of cliches, many times over.
It’s a difficult task, finding new ground when trying to tell what an interesting story, because so many stories have already been told. From dramas to westerns, and most especially horror and thriller films, these genres have been recycled countless times. When the ideas run dry, they become comedic rather than effective. A film needs not just a well- developed and unique script but also a team of creative artists from various departments to craft something that benefits the story as a whole. Everyone needs to be on the same page, no matter how tough the journey is.
Audiences have gotten smarter, especially now that we can consume content from anywhere through streaming and social media. Many services are bloated with bad content. Yet every now and then a film stands out. And there is no better way to do that than by going back to basics and breaking the rules.
Directors who genuinely love a genre to the point where they can recognize its cliches tend ot have more success than those who are simply hired for their previous work in that genre without desire nor passion. These passionate directors can potentially leave an impactful story, and perhaps one that lingers long after the credits roll.
Strange Darling emerged seemingly out of nowhere, much like Barbarian or Parasite-films marked as horror or thrillers but delivering wild rides full of unexpected twists. Through intense preparation, creativity, and a unique voices, goes beyond overused concepts and franchises. Timing and, most of all, luck are essential.
Directed by JT Mollner, Strange Darling is only his second feature film, yet it is highly stylized while remaining grounded in reality. Moller’s use of sparse dialogue, careful pacing, and nonlinear structure evokes Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction in its execution.
To achieve this vision, a talented cinematopgrapher is vital. I was surprised to learn that Giovanni Ribisi - an actor known for for films like Avatar and Saving Private Ryan - also has a talent for being behind the camera, not just in front of it.
Ribisi’s work is striking. His use of oversaturated colors, particularly in close-up shots, of two people looking at one another, feels dreamlike. The shot bathed in in blue feels deliberately romantic, establishing the film as a love story before everything takes an unexpected turn. The exterior shots of the female character running, simply called “The Lady,” have a grainy texture that is very much a nod to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Shot on 35 mm film, the movie evokes both a classic cinematic feel and a documentary like-realism, as if the events unfolding have happened in real life. Ribisi deserves equal credit for capturing this vivid, stunning piece, blending both dreamlike and realistic styles in the most natural way.
Giovanni Ribisi on the Set of Strange Darling.
The Hollywood Reporter, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Aug. Accessed 23 Sept. 2024.
The story is simple. We follow our two main characters, “The Lady,” and “The Demon.” Their paths never crossed, until meeting at a motel out in the middle of nowhere, before things go completely crazy.
There’s little to say, when avoiding spoilers - this is a movie best experienced with as little knowledge as possible. Many twists and turns unfold. They’re shocking, but they’re integral to the experience. The film explores the idea of not knowing who you’re with and how deep, dark secrets can emerge when you least expect them. A haunting examination on love. Is it physical attraction? Sex? Was love ever there? People naturally want more, but the confusion of what we want through physical attraction often leads to tragic consequences, driven by internal and biological desires through upbringing.
In fleeting moments during sexual encounters, love might even bloom, but it can vanish just as quickly, especikally when the damage had already been done. Social rules - and the need to survive - often emerge to bring everything crumbling back into reality.
Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner.
“Strange Darling Review - Create/Context - Medium.” Medium, Medium, 16 Aug. 2024, medium.com/@create.context/strange-darling-review-8ee5114c9ebf. Accessed 23 Sept. 2024.
What ultimately holds the film together are the performances. The movie could have easily devolved into a ridiculous exploitation film if the performances were not strong enough.
Willa Fitzgerald as “The Lady” delivers it strongly, moving between subtle and extreme emotions with such ease. Even from smallest gestures, like the way she looks, the way she moves her lips, gives a wide array of feelings that could pass as either mysterious, sad, or even curious. I wonder how Fitzgerald did not become a star already. After seeing this her talent deserves such recognition, and for more roles and opportunities to come in the near future. Kyle Gallner as “The Demon” is equally impressive as he slips naturally into his role. A significant leap from recalling highly mediocre films like the remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street and The Haunting in Connecticut.
Rarely do films deserve to be called “movies” in the true cinematic sense, where every department comes together to create a cohesive and distinctive experience. I have no doubt Strange Darling will win many accolades and, hopefully, be considered a classic in the years to come.