Disjointed storytelling isn’t always the best way to create a thriller, a genre which generally relies on building and sustaining tension; taking a nonlinear approach is risky, as it could disrupt the tension and disturb the pacing. The gritty new horror thrillerStrange Darlingnot only takes that route but ups the ante,injecting steroids into the narrative device in ways that we won’t spoil here.Stephen King has already praisedStrange Darling— partly named after the lovely tune that plays over the film’s spellbinding opening-credit sequence — as a “clever masterpiece,” and why not? It pretty much is.
You’re in for an utterly unique treat withStrange Darling, especially since acclaimed performer Giovanni Ribisi is involved. But you won’t only spot him in front of the lens this time around. He’s the co-producer here and also the skilled director of photography under the direction of writer and filmmaker JT Mollner (Outlaws & Angels). They createa visually arresting and downright hypnotic film that’s admittedly dark as hell but also incredibly gripping, even if you’re not necessarily a horror fan. This is indeed clever storytelling at its finest.
See Strange Darling Blind as a Bat
Strange Darling
A twisted one-night stand spirals into a deadly game of cat and mouse when a relentless predator chases an injured woman through the Oregon wilderness.
Another mastermind in horror,Mike Flanagan, has also sung his praises forStrange Darlingbut stressed the importance of going into a groundbreaking feature like this blind.Amen, brother. So we certainly won’t give anything juicy away, but it’s important to recognize, well, a number of components that collectively make up this astonishing end result. First off, the cast, which is all about quality and not quantity, is remarkable. They sculpt their characters with so much emotion and complexity despite a lack of exposition.
In fact, the characters played by the two main performers, Willa Fitzgerald (Reacher) andKyle Gallner (Smile), are never named. Fitzgerald is “The Woman,” while Gallner is “The Demon.” But nothing is as it seems in Mollner’s purposefully jumpy narrative that might leave you double-taking at certain title cards. Yes, the film is also divided into chapters, but in a way that’s not just stylish artifice — andmake sure you’re paying attention when one section ends and another begins. You can take your eyes off some movies and be perfectly fine, butStrange Darlingbenefits from committed viewers who presumably aren’t half-watching while scrolling on Instagram.
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There isn’t a lot of time for phone scrolling in this tight 96-minute runtime, anyway. After the artsy opening, we’re thrust right into the thick of amurderous car chaseinvolving The Woman attempting to outrun The Demon, who happens to be armed with a terrifying long-range rifle. But what led to such turmoil?Just when your expectations are all set for what’s to come (and what might have already transpired), think again.
Mesmerized by a Brilliant Visual Design
WhileStrange Darlingis more of a (very grisly) thriller, itsingenious narrative machinationsbring to mind one of the best horror films of the past decade,Zach Cregger’s recent masterpiceBarbarian. In our recent interview with Mollner, the filmmaker also cited Steven Spielberg’s pre-Jawsclassic, Duel, as an influence onStrange Darling, which is certainly plain to see. But even then, this feels like a truly original cinematic experience.
Editor Christopher Robin Bell has worked with Mollner before, but he outdoes himself here and incorporates everything he learned in the editorial department on shaky action films likeUnited 93andThe Bourne Ultimatum.Jarring editing heightens Ribisi’s gorgeous framing and the breathtaking work from colorists Scotty Cross and George Koranto further keep you on your toes. The rhythm and flow of this journey is purposefully bumpy, with Craig DeLeon’s bombastic musical score keeping our blood pressure spiked in the best possible way, all while The Woman continues her escape plan across rural, secluded terrain.
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Unforgettable Film Shoots Humor Throughout Its Darkness
Mollner’s new film is also bolstered bydeliciously scene-stealing performances by a few familiar faces in small doses, such as Ed Begley Jr. (Better Call Saul) and Barbara Hershey (Black Swan) playing a hippie-like couple living in peace out in the ‘burbs — that is, until death comes knocking on their door, quite literally, in the form of The Woman running from her terrifying gunman. The reliably hilarious Begley (Pineapple Express, Arrested Development, A Mighty Wind)brings a great sense of humor to the film. And there’s another familiar performer from theBreaking Baduniverse who makes a sensational little appearance later inStrange Darlingas well, but we won’t spoil it here.
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Here’s the point: Whether it’s a sprinkling of dark comedy or a rapid return to the thrilling, blood-soaked violence that this film’s promotional campaign promised,Strange Darlingis relentlessly entertaining all the way through. It has a timeless kind of vintage feel, mysterious and archetypal characters with great bits of dialogue, and tons of suspenseful surprises, but above all, it’s thethrilling visual experience that will remain unforgettable. Let’s hope Mollner and Ribisi continue to team up behind the lens for future projects. In the meantime, and we’ll reiterate,you don’t have to be horror-obsessed to soak up the pleasures of this one.
Produced by Miramax and Spooky Pictures, from Magenta Light Studios,Strange Darlingcan be seen only in theaters beginning Aug 24, 2025.
