Strange Darling 2024 Movie Review
Strange Darling’s unique out-of-sequence storytelling leaves its viewer in a constant state of uncertainty. JT Mollner’s film is a hookup from hell that is a cinematic thriller feast fit for a king.
JT Mollner’s Strange Darling mixes the gritty visual style of an ‘80s slasher flick with a sophisticated, brain-bending screenplay to create something so slick you’ll almost gloss over the wildest part – Giovanni Ribisi is the cinematographer!? YES. And he kills it. But we’ll get back to that.
“A hookup from hell” is the CliffsNotes description of the plot, and when it comes to twists and turns, this movie has a lot up its sleeve. Horror king Kyle Gallner, who has been on a hot streak of solid indie flicks over the last few years, appears right at home in this gruesome game of cat-and-mouse. He plays a man whose late-night motel rendezvous with a woman (Willa Fitzgerald) goes off the rails, and you can trust that this movie wastes no time dishing out “wtf” moments. That’s a plus for people like me who sometimes get antsy waiting for action. I can confidently say without spoilers: You’ll second guess who you let handcuff you to a bed from now on.
The movie is disorienting from frame one, and its dizzying pace is solidly anchored by the two lead actors’ effortless talent. It can’t be overstated how much Fitzgerald is committed to the role. Oscars have been awarded for less dedication, and if it weren’t for voting bodies notoriously passing over the horror genre, her name would already be in the awards conversation. She and Gallner really are a perfect pairing for this twisted tale.
There’s a third, silent character that really kicks things into high gear. With multi-hyphenate Giovanni Ribisi at the helm, the film’s sublime cinematography deserves top billing alongside the leads. Ribisi has more IMDb acting credits than most thespians could even dream of, and he joins the ranks of the Ben Afflecks and Clint Eastwoods of the world who have transitioned their skills behind the screen. With his talent on the table, the movie’s visuals are the juicy cherry on top of a hot fudge horror sundae.
Strange Darling’s unique out-of-sequence storytelling leaves its viewer in a constant state of uncertainty. It’s a lot to take in, but it works. And the movie’s relatively short runtime helps calibrate the chaos and make the sensory overload easier to digest. Top that all off with a surprisingly emotional moment when a killer appears moved by an unexpected act of kindness, and you’ve got a cinematic thriller feast fit for a king.
