1 of 5 | Willa Fitzgerald stars in “Strange Darling.” Photo courtesy of Miramax
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 22 (UPI) — Strange Darling, premiered at Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas, is an extraordinary discovery that relies on surprising twists. This review aims to celebrate its uniqueness and creativity without giving away any spoilers, preserving the intrigue for future viewers.
The film’s opening credits introduce the main characters as The Lady (Willa Fitzgerald) and The Demon (Kyle Gallner). While divided into six chapters, the story begins at Chapter 3.
The Demon forces the Lady off the road in an impressive vehicular stunt, initiating a thrilling chase through the woods.
In a moment of respite, the Lady tends to a bloody ear, pouring alcohol on it. She then takes a well-deserved break to smoke, indicating that she has already endured a great deal.
Unexpectedly, the film jumps to Chapter 5, where the Lady is hiding from the relentless pursuit of the Demon. Despite lacking any character information, viewers can readily empathize with this cat-and-mouse scenario.
With the Demon wielding a gun, it becomes clear that the audience is meant to root for the Lady’s escape. Writer-director JT Mollner solidifies this inclination by naming Gallner’s character The Demon.
When Strange Darling eventually reveals the beginning of the story, the Lady’s and Demon’s psychological interplay takes a disconcerting turn, defying expectations.
As the film revisits its middle chapters, it recontextualizes earlier scenes, leaving us guessing. While some may anticipate the surprises by the end, the film remains consistently captivating.
The opening credits also boast the rare use of 35mm film in the digital age, thanks to cinematographer Giovanni Ribisi. His steady frame captures the unfolding action in vibrant colors.
Strange Darling relies heavily on the exceptional performances of Fitzgerald and Gallner, who navigate the film’s twists and turns with remarkable believability. The story places extreme demands on them, which would spoil surprises if revealed, but the leads deliver flawlessly.
During their chase, they encounter various supporting characters who join the story with limited information, responding authentically to the unfolding events.
Miramax, the production company behind Strange Darling, plans to release the film in the future. If the above description piques your interest, it is best to approach the film with minimal knowledge to fully experience its gripping narrative.
Fred Topel, a UPI entertainment writer based in Los Angeles, attended film school at Ithaca College. He has been a professional film critic since 1999, a Rotten Tomatoes critic since 2001, and a member of the Television Critics Association since 2012 and the Critics Choice Association since 2023. Explore more of his captivating work in Entertainment.
