A young woman (Willa Fitzgerald) meets up with a handsome man (Kyle Gallner) for a one-night-stand. After agreeing what they’re going to do and how far they want to go, the two take themselves to a motel room. As their liaison becomes more intense, things take a dramatic turn and what started off as an innocent booty-call turns into something altogether darker.
If my summary of the plot seems brief, it’s because spoilers of all kinds are forbidden. The less you know about the film before you go in, the more you’ll get out of it but I’m going to try my best not to reveal anything about the film’s twists and turns. What I can say is that ‘Strange Darling’ lives up to its name and the story unravels in a non-linear fashion. What you think you know gets turned on its head and the film goes to places you might not expect over the course of its 96-minute run time.
The two central characters – known only as The Lady and The Demon – seem like a perfect match. They’re both good-looking, they’re after no-strings attached and they’re happen to indulge in one another’s fantasies, even if said fantasies seem a little weird. After negotiating their terms for their encounter, it becomes abundantly clear to the characters (and the viewer) that things are not what they first appear to be.
The strongest element of the film is the central performances from Willa Fitzgerald (best-known for the short-lived ‘Scream’ TV series) and Kyle Gallner (who coincidentally was in the fifth instalment of the ‘Scream’ films). Both actors are no strangers to horror and they play their respective parts well. The script calls for them both to shapeshift to keep the audience on its toes, and they do that well. They also interact with a sizzling chemistry, regardless of how the characters are engaging with one another.
‘Strange Darling’ is definitely a unique film and it’s one that is sure to divide audiences. In parts an homage to the exploitation films of the 70s, the film is perhaps better categorised as an intense thriller than a straight-up horror movie. Part of the fun is guessing what’s going to happen next, and keeping you guessing is the film’s strongest element. Perhaps a little more character development for the leads would have been nice but I have a feeling that director and writer JT Mollner wanted to capture one wild encounter rather than make you feel or care about these characters.
Cast: Willa Fitzgerald, Kyle Gallner, Barbara Hershey, Ed Begley Jr. Director: JT Mollner Writer: JT Mollner Certificate: TBC Duration: 96 mins Released by: Icon Film Distribution Release date: 24th August 2024 (Pigeon Shrine FrightFest), 20th September 2024 (UK cinemas)
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