‘Strange Darling’: Frightening yet uniquely entrancing
Image: Photo credit: VVS Films
Moviegoers who’d like to watch something ‘a little bit different’ are encouraged to watch Strange Darling, an American horror-romance-thriller – believe me when I say you will be entranced with eyes completely fixated upon the screen from beginning to end.
Reportedly based on a true story, Strange Darling centres on an American serial killer’s final months and the murderous killing spree that gripped a nation.
A man and woman are conversing in a car. She asks, “Are you a serial killer?” and soon after they engage in casual sex. A bizarre and dark tale of cat and mouse ensures with so many twists and turns that audiences will be kept guessing until the very last frame asking, “What the hell is going on?”
All is not as it seems. Armchair detectives should be delightfully challenged by the intricate storytelling, patterned in such a way that few will guess where the story is headed and the outcome.
The execution of this movie is not conventional as the story is divided into six chapters and is in non-linear format. Normally this format can be a hindrance and complicate the understanding of the narrative, however this element works well and completely enhances the pace and excitement of this thriller.
Actress Willa Fitzgerald portrays The Lady and Kyle Gallner is The Demon. Both excel in their performances and audiences will be under their spell throughout. Barbera Hershey has a supporting role as an elderly woman who unfortunately was at the wrong place at the wrong time and met a gruesome ending.
There will be snickers and quiet laughter intermittently as humour is prevalent, more aptly silliness which feels misplaced yet welcomed as it softens the severity of the revulsion that most audience members may experience.
Shot in 35mm, this enhances the cinematic experience, as the colours are more vibrant and the shadows more profound which aids in pulling audiences deeper under the spell of the movie.
Strange Darling is quite a unique piece of filmmaking. It’s gripping and unsettling and more importantly leaves audiences with a message about the dangers that may arise from casual sex encounters.
★★★★
In cinemas August 22
