Reel Review Roundup

Strange Darling (MA)

Directed by: JT Mollner

Starring: Willa Fitzgerald, Kyle Gallner

Review by: Julian Wright

The less one knows about Strange Darling, the better – so this is going to be a short and sweet review of a bold twist on the routine slasher film.

A man and a woman in their 20s meet, hang out in his car outside a cheap hotel, share a couple drinks and cigarettes, and flirt.

They eventually consent to spending the night together – but a night of innocent fun between strangers turns into a deadly cat and mouse game of survival.

The set-up is familiar, and we all think we know where this is heading, the dread building slowly….until the rug is pulled out form under us and it turns out that very little is what it seems.

Cleverly told in non-linear style, with chapters unfolding out of order (a la Kill Bill), for maximum surprise, Strange Darling subverts at every turn to shatter and explore societal and film trope expectations.

The performances are strong, the approach is fascinating, with writer/director JT Mollner giving heavy nods to 70s and 80s horror aesthetics…and yet Strange Darling maintains an incredibly low-key vibe throughout.

One can’t help but want a bit more out of the experience, whether a deeper dive on its themes or even shock value.

But when cinema is currently littered with by-the-numbers storytelling, this is the fresh approach that is needed.

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