As a seasoned movie enthusiast who’s seen his fair share of thrillers and horror films, I must say that “Strange Darling” has left me quite impressed. J.T. Mollner has truly outdone himself with this unique take on familiar tropes, expertly manipulating audience expectations while still maintaining a sense of authenticity in the performances.
WARNING: THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR THE MOVIE “STRANGE DARLING” NOW PLAYING IN THEATERS.
I’m garnering acclaim for my latest thriller, “Strange Darling.” Yet, as a writer-director, I only felt compelled to create a film if I could bring something fresh and innovative to the table.
“He mentions that there are numerous terrific horror movies that surpass anything he could create due to their flawless execution. He felt that unless we could discover a unique perspective and flip things upside down, there was no point in making another one. He was intrigued because it seemed like this approach would allow us to challenge viewers’ expectations and preconceived notions.”
Thankfully, Mollner penned an alluring and provocative screenplay for “Strange Darling,” leveraging power through the subversion of familiar stereotypes often depicted in numerous films. A woman adorned in blood fleeing from a man armed with a gun? It suggests a hunter pursuing his victim. Striking scenes such as this are masterfully incorporated within the movie, however, this unconventional narrative works tirelessly to maintain an unsettling balance.
The story unfolds during a single night between two characters, referred to as The Lady (Willa Fitzgerald) and The Demon (Kyle Gallner). Initially, their character names are revealed in title cards at the start of the movie, which sets up an intriguing twist: it turns out that this tale revolves around a serial killer. As they ponder whether to move from his truck into a budget hotel room for some late-night activities, the camera subtly glides over a concealed gun barrel – a literal nod to Chekhov’s Gun principle. When they enter the room and disrobe, their interactions become increasingly intense, leaving you on edge, anticipating what could happen next.
As The Serial Killer’s identity is unmasked as The Lady, she attempts to kill The Demon. However, before she succeeds, he fires a shot from his gun. Both parties then stumble around, bleeding heavily. In pursuit of retribution, The Demon starts chasing her down. Similar to the spectators, The Lady manages to persuade the residents of a small Oregon town to aid her, but anyone who inquires too deeply about her actions faces potential danger as well.
In the climax of the film, numerous unexpected turns unfold, and Mollner attributes the key factor behind stunning the audience as being the exceptional acting delivered by his leading actors.
He explains that he discussed with Willa and Kyle the importance of portraying their characters truthfully, focusing on their emotional truths rather than manipulating the audience through performance. According to him, both actors are talented and the concern about misleading the audience can be addressed within the context of the story and its presentation. He believes that this approach results in honest performances, which is a significant reason why the movie resonates with so many people.
In addition to the dialogue and acting, Mollner aimed to captivate audiences with the visual style of the movie, challenging their expectations for a more engaging experience. For this production, actor Giovanni Ribisi took on the role of a cinematographer, with the film being shot on 35mm film. Together with production designer Priscilla Elliott, they drew inspiration from films such as David Lynch’s “Blue Velvet,” David Cronenberg’s “Dead Ringers,” and Ingmar Bergman’s “Cries and Whispers” to creatively use color in the movie.
Mollner expressed that they aimed for a candy-coated, saturated appearance with a grainy texture. They were eager to employ color as a powerful tool. Upon revisiting the film ‘Cries and Whispers,’ Mollner was struck by its stunning cinematography, particularly the vivid reds that conveyed an underlying sense of unease beneath the beauty. This movie served as their inspiration. Their goal for this project was to create a film that would be striking and unforgettable, both visually and emotionally – a movie that would leave viewers with a lasting impression of its look and feel, much like a red stain on a flower bed.
In the end, The Lady’s story reaches its conclusion through two significant car trips. During the first ride, it becomes clear that she is the serial killer and confesses her crimes, revealing that she targets people who appear as demons to her. This explains both her reason for killing and her unease in using murder as a means of escape from difficult situations. The way her confession is filmed subtly suggests that the police officer she soon kills might have been one of these ‘demons’ to her. Although Mollner doesn’t explicitly verify or refute the idea that The Lady is a self-proclaimed demon slayer, he does acknowledge that it provides an intriguing aspect to her mental state.
“His intention was to develop a serial killer who doesn’t necessarily fit the sociopath profile,” he explains. “This character struggles with other problems, experiences remorse for her actions, yet feels compelled to carry them out. There’s a rationale behind her killings, and it stems from some form of mental illness. However, we aimed to infuse both characters with humanity. Despite their occasional heinous acts, we wanted to portray their unique perspectives and viewpoints.”
The final scene in the film shows The Lady being fatally shot by an armed local offering a ride, following her careless display of a gun. For several minutes, we cling to Fitzgerald as the life fades from The Lady’s character, culminating in a raw and poignant conclusion to this fast-paced film.
“Mollner explains that while the emotional climax remained consistent since the start, the physical conclusion was different in the final version. They added this scene during the third or fourth draft and opted for a static camera shot lasting several minutes. This was a significant aim of mine to accomplish, and it turned out to be the most challenging part due to our tight schedule and limited attempts. However, Willa’s exceptional acting skills made it possible – her captivating charm kept viewers engaged and focused, as there were no alternative takes or reverse shots filmed.”
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2024-08-28 21:47