‘Strange Darling’ Review | A Master Class in Nonfiction Storytelling and Psychological Horror

Lately, whenever I enjoy a movie or TV series, I tend not to watch its trailers. There is always something visual about the experience when you watch a project for the first time without knowing anything about it and you go on an amazing journey. Movies like Longlegs, and Last Night in Soho are good examples of movies that rely on their twisted narratives. However, JT Mollner’s ‘TRUTHFUL LOVE’ it’s one of those rare films that actually benefits from being experienced without prior knowledge. At first, the film seems like a typical story about a predator and its prey. However, things go from crazy to crazy as the film progresses, revealing deeper layers with each twist.

The film, presented in six chapters and an episode, takes an indirect approach that illuminates the ultimate crime of mass murder in a chilling way. Although Mollner does not shy away from taking a brutal route to reveal each layer, ‘STRANGE DARLING’ also serves as a moving story of reflection and power change. The film begins with a beautiful scene of the Princess (played by Willa Fitzgerald) running on a green field. He is in distress and is being followed by a madman. A few seconds later, in a beautiful chase sequence, viewers are introduced to a man trying to catch the Princess. Known as the Demon, this man will do anything and everything to catch him. Although she manages to escape him, the real narrative begins after the chase ends and viewers are forced to think about what is right and wrong.

This movie has many strong points, but its strongest point is undoubtedly the decision not to conform to its storytelling. As the story jumps between chapters, viewers are forced to take a closer look and piece together the mystery of events leading up to the serial killer’s final actions. That makes this film a fascinating watch because it not only keeps them on the edge of their seats but also allows them to experience the story from several different perspectives. Honestly, it is very difficult to keep viewers glued to the screens in a non-linear story, as it can quickly get confused and lose their attention. Mollner purposely does not give viewers a chronological order. Instead, the entire plot is structured like a maze and each twist and turn makes the narrative even more exciting. In addition, the disjointed storyline keeps the viewers thinking about what might happen next. We salute Mollner for creating such a dramatic, yet refreshing story.

Aside from the writing, JT Mollner’s direction also makes this movie a great watch. It can be really hard to do a non-linear narrative, but he manages to build every scene to build suspense and hostility. Conversely, Mollner’s choice to combine hyperrealism and psychological horror added a unique edge to the film, setting it apart from the rest. Another thing he does smartly is to keep the film from devolving into pure angst and instead, focus on the genius of the lead characters and their evolving strengths. Meanwhile, Craig DeLeon’s powerful background score is stunning and heightens the tension. On the other hand, Z Berg’s songs are amazing and compliment the mood of the film. The lyrics are good and his voice sounds fresh.

When it comes to acting, Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner knock it out of the park with sensational performances. Fitzgerald is the soul of this film and his portrayal is delightful and empowering. In each frame, he brings something different to his role and captures the complexity of his character with precision. Meanwhile, Gallner threatens like a Demon. The way he changes his behavior is scary and you start to feel afraid of his character. However, as the story progresses, it becomes difficult in this case if his behavior is right or wrong. The conversations between the two leads add another interesting layer to the already solid storytelling. Honestly, the awards judges should watch this performance and take it into consideration during the awards. They deserve that level of recognition.

Willa Fitzgerald as a woman in ‘Strange Darling’ (Image Credit: Magenta Light Studios)

All in all, Strange Darling is exactly what artists should be: nail-biting and keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. It’s a really unsettling film that perfectly blends genres like psychological horror and noir. It explores themes of power and control while challenging traditional gender roles. Director JT Mollner does not hesitate to break all the rules and take the audience on an exciting and electrifying journey.

One of the best movies of 2024.

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