Disclaimer: This piece was written during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. The Blogging Banshee fully supports those on strike and wrote this review in accordance with the SAG-AFTRA guidelines. You can learn more about the strike and how to show your support by clicking the link provided above.

One of my most anticipated watches at this year’s Fantastic Fest was the world premiere of Strange Darling. Written and directed by JT Mollner (Outlaws and Angels), Strange Darling begins with an opening scroll describing the multi-state run of a serial killer ending in Oregon, where the film kicks off. From there, the film takes audiences on a twisted journey as the hunter, and the hunted, embark on a deadly ride.

Broken into six chapters and an epilogue, all shown out of order, Strange Darling is a unique storytelling experience. The audience is thrown into the middle of the chaos during an epic car chase. From there, each chapter is shown out of order to only provide small morsels of information. With every chapter, new context is given to help put the pieces of this electrifying puzzle together into place. This non-linear method of filmmaking allows for Mollner to build the suspense while injecting new surprises at every turn.

Diving into the meat of the plot in Strange Darling, the film is more than just your typical serial killer versus victim thriller. While it is very much that, with two characters constantly at odds as they chase each other through rural Oregon, it’s the socio-political themes that make the plot stand out. Strange Darling has some interesting things to say both about consent as well as stereotypical gender roles. The consent elements are explored through kink play, which also touches on those gender norms. A conversation between the two leads does a wonderful job of conveying the dangers women face just to go on dates or partake in casual sex, things men often don’t give a second thought to. If anything, I wish this exploration and subversion of traditional gender roles was explored more throughout the film. The film also could have been tightened up a bit, specifically with the epilogue, which could have been cut to streamline the plot. It feels superfluous, rehashing themes the film has already examined and not adding anything vital to the story. Still, horror fans will likely appreciate these final moments as they somewhat resemble the iconic final moments of another fan-favorite horror film.

The heart and soul of Strange Darling are the performances by Willa Fitzgerald (Scream: The TV Series, The Goldfinch) and Kyle Gallner (Dinner in America, Smile). Fitzgerald plays “The Lady” and gives audiences a performance unlike anything we have seen from her before. Going from sweet to unhinged to adrenaline-fueled survivor, there is a chaotic element to her portrayal of this character. It helps to keep the audience on their toes while also making it clear Fitzgerald is a force, able to chameleon into any role thrown her way. Unsurprisingly, Gallner is also an absolute joy to watch. For the most part, his portrayal of “The Demon” is more understated compared to his costar. Transitioning back and forth between stoic allure and single-minded hunter, Gallner expertly brings his character to life. While individually both actors are phenomenal, the on-screen chemistry between Fitzgerald and Gallner is engrossing. Whether sexual or sinister, the tension between these two characters will grab audiences by the throat and never let go.

Strange Darling took on some very ambitious artistic endeavors. The first is that the film was entirely shot on 35mm film. This is quite a task for any modern film, but especially for an indie-film like this one that also has an extensive car chase scene. Giovanni Ribisi, who many will recognize for his acting roles in projects such as Avatar, makes his feature-film debut as a cinematographer for Strange Darling. His work on the film is absolutely stunning. Between the grain of using 35mm film and the various shots and angles, Ribisi gives audiences a visually striking work of art that makes me excited to see what he does next. Adding to the beauty of the film, there is also a healthy amount of gorgeous lighting choices and subtle, yet well-executed practical effects. Audiences will also likely be drawn to the soundtrack in Strange Darling, made up almost entirely of original songs that add a touch of romanticism to the chaos.

Strange Darling is an exhilarating, twisted thriller that has the look and feel of a 1970’s exploitation film, but with an updated social commentary to deliver something new. Mollner is clearly a filmmaker to take notice of. While the script could have been refined just a bit, what Mollner delivers is a story with fascinating characters and plenty of surprises that is as exciting as it is thought-provoking. Fitzgerald and Gallner give powerhouse performances, and they look great doing it with the help of Ribisi’s stellar cinematography. With how gorgeous this film looks and how dynamic the sound is, you’ll want to see it on the biggest screen possible.

OVERALL RATING: 7.5/10