As a seasoned movie critic with over three decades of experience under my belt and having witnessed the evolution of the serial killer genre from the slasher era to the psychological thriller age, I must admit that “Strange Darling” has managed to carve out its own unique niche in this crowded sub-genre.
Recently, Hollywood has been delivering a series of movies centered around serial killers. Among the recent releases are “Longlegs” produced by NEON, “Crescent City”, and M. Knight Shyamalan’s “Trap”. Now, another one joins the list. “Strange Darling” is JT Mollner’s second film, and like its predecessors, it revolves around a serial killer. However, what sets this movie apart is Mollner’s unique approach, which differentiates it from other films in the genre.
“The movie titled ‘Strange Darling’ initiates with a chilling prologue that seems to be influenced by Tobe Hooper’s 1974 horror masterpiece, ‘The Texas Chain Saw Massacre’. This sets the stage for a tale that documents the final murderous spree of one of America’s most notorious serial killers. The movie is structured into six distinct chapters and concludes with an emphatic finale. The story unfolds in rural Hood River County, Oregon, and was filmed entirely on 35mm film by actor Giovanni Ribisi, who also serves as the director of photography.”
Instead of starting at the beginning, Mollner decides to jump right into things, launching the story with chapter 3. This opening scene is quite thrilling as it shows a panicked woman, referred to as the Lady (Willa Fitzgerald), racing along a rural road. Hot on her heels is a menacing figure in a black pickup truck, known as the Demon (Kyle Gallner) according to the credits. Their intense chase concludes when the Demon shatters the woman’s back window with gunfire, causing her car to crash. Remarkably, she manages to extricate herself from the wreckage and flee into the woods before the Demon catches up.
Mollner skips around between different chapters, gradually revealing parts of his tale. It’s discovered that the Lady and the Demon first encountered each other at a bar, and following some intense drinking, they shared a room at a motel nearby. However, both characters soon discover they are not who they appear to be, and their dark one-night stand results in the Lady escaping while the Demon chases after her. Other characters also play significant roles, such as an older hippie couple named Frederick (portrayed by Ed Begley Jr.) and Genevieve (played by Barbara Hershey). They reside in a secluded farmhouse within the forest, where they discuss doomsday theories and attempt to ward off supposed Bigfoot creatures.
In Mollner’s narrative, he swiftly moves between chapters, which might seem pretentious or superfluous at first glance. However, when an unforeseen, zany twist occurs, it reframes everything that preceded it in a fresh light. This twist not only makes his storytelling method appear more than just a mere trick, but also feels like a clever tactic designed to shift our focus. Furthermore, this approach offers a novel perspective on several pivotal character decisions that drive the story towards its violent climax.
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2024-08-26 17:56