Nightmare Alley – A Visually Stunning and Mysterious Noir (Early Review)

In 2017, director Guillermo del Toro did the seemingly impossible, by crafting an adult fantasy film so magical, that even the genre-bias Academy awarded it with the coveted Best Picture prize. The Shape of Water was a cinematic achievement that captured the hearts of many and cemented his status as one of the master filmmakers of his generation. After four long years away from the directors chair, del Toro is finally back with his 11th feature film. Nightmare Alley, an adaptation of the 1941 classic of the same name.

Nightmare Alley stars Bradley Cooper stars as Stan Carlisle, a man who in an effort to escape his troubled past, joins a carnival troupe and learns how to deceive people into believing he has psychic abilities. After falling head over heels for the innocent Molly Cahill (Mara), the pair leave the carnival and to fulfill their grander ambitions. As Carlisle begins to build a career off of manipulating people, he meets Dr. Lilith Ritter (Blanchett), a psychiatrist who sees right through his lies. From there, the two team up but Carlisle quickly learns that she may be more dangerous than he is.

In comparison to del Toro’s previous films, Nightmare Alley is far more grounded and slower in pace. This may come as a disappointment to his fanbase and could prevent the film from flourishing during awards season like The Shape of Water did. Regardless, the film is an expertly crafted ode to the film noir genre that offers the kind of film going experience of yesteryear. As always with his work, the film is visually stunning and has otherworldly feel to it. The cinematography is crisp, with vibrant green looming over ever frame. The production design is extremely detailed, especially the various sets at the fairgrounds, as well as the funhouse.

Cooper has proved time and time again that he is one of the best actors working today and in Nightmare Alley, he delivers one of his most versatile performances thus far as Carlisle. His character changes drastically throughout the film and makes some morally repressive decisions, allowing Cooper to demonstrate a wide variety of emotions. Unfortunately, one of the film’s biggest issues is his lack of chemistry with Mara’s Cahill have absolutely no chemistry together. It’s constantly difficult to buy into their relationship, which is a dominant storyline in the first half of the movie.

Outside of their lack of chemistry, both Mara and Cooper deliver impressive work. However, it’s the supporting cast that truly shines. Blanchett in particular is stellar in a role she was practically born to play. Her confidence and charm as Ritter leap off the screen and every scene that she is in is a highlight. Toni Collette similarly has a role that is right in her wheelhouse as Zeena Krumbein, although the writing doesn’t flesh her character out enough, so it can be difficult to pinpoint what her motives are.

Meanwhile, David Strathairn and Richard Jenkins are both electric in their respective roles of Pete Krumbein and Ezra Grindle, despite their limited screen time. Jenkins in particular has come into his own as an actor within the past couple years, so it’s nice to see him get a meaty role where he gets to play against type and portray a more sinister character. Out of the entire cast, Willem Dafoe was surprisingly the weakest link as Clem Hoately. His cartoonish portrayal of the carnival ringleader is ridiculously over the top and does not at all suit the tone that film is going for.

In the end, while Nightmare Alley takes its time in the first act, it culminates to one of the most exciting finales in recent years, with a twist that will surely be discussed for years to come. Del Toro crafts a successful tribute to film noir telling a fascinating story about the consequences of greed and hunger for power.

still courtesy of Searchlight Pictures

Follow my blog on Instagram @moviereviews100!

If you liked this, please read our other reviews here and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter or Instagram or like us on Facebook.

Tristan French