Strange Darling – A Subversive Hidden Gem

Sometimes a film comes out of nowhere and becomes a nice surprise, perhaps even less so as a summer release. Thrillers are conducive to these kinds of surprises. It is a sorry state of affairs that, in an age where originality is often at a minimum, a film that attempts to do something different is even considered a surprise. Alas, Strange Darling is such a surprise. A film that should be gone into as blind as possible since talking too much about it would spoil the experience. A thriller that brings something different to the table, what started off as a one-night stand quickly spiralled out of control. Ultimately, as fun as it is subversive, sharp writing, confident direction, stunning cinematography, and brilliant performances from Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner as the couple at the center of the story make it into that surprise. Presented with a nonlinear structure, the story, told across six chapters, jumps around to contrast the stages of that fateful night and stay ahead of audiences’ expectations. Though that structure will take some getting used to for many, it starts to pay off as the film goes on and once it shows its hand.

Bouncing between moments in time, the film will have audiences wondering how the characters got from one point to the other as the man and woman found themselves in the middle of a game of cat-and-mouse, chasing each other across rural Oregon backroads. As those missing pieces started to come together, the level of tension continued to rise. Setting the tone early on, another question is how the characters play a part. Filling in the gaps of that night, while it may seem clear-cut, the story proved that it had a few more tricks up its sleeve as it subverts what many would call conventional expectations about how it would normally go. Playing with those expectations, working a commentary on modern gender power dynamics, that roller coaster dynamic between the man and the woman, otherwise known as The Demon and The Lady, was a blast to watch. As the truth eventually came out, that playing with perspectives and dynamics made for a raucous conclusion.

Running at a brisk 97-minutes, it did not waste any time. A crazy and bloody ride, it has some commentary to it but those reading any further into it might be disappointed. Above all else, Strange Darling has a style and edge to it that could not be denied. From the stunning cinematography, to the sharp dialog, and the steady hand to steer ship, it was Fitzgerald and Gallner who brought it all together, with the former being a true force of nature.

In the end, Strange Darling is a fun and subversive ride that could not be denied, firing on all cylinders, it is a true hidden gem.

still courtesy of VVS Films

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.