A fresh take on horror: ‘Strange Darling’ redefines expectations
Spoiler Alert: This article contains spoilers for “Strange Darling,” currently in theaters. If you haven’t seen it yet, go watch it first and then come back to read this!
A new voice in horror
J.T. Mollner’s latest thriller, “Strange Darling”, is making waves in the horror community. The writer-director’s approach to the genre is both refreshing and daring, aiming to subvert the typical tropes that audiences have come to expect. Mollner’s philosophy is clear: if he couldn’t bring something unique to the table, there was no point in making the film.
“There are so many great horror films that are better than anything I could ever make because they’re just so perfect, that I felt like unless we could find a different angle and turn things inside out, there’s no reason to do it,” Mollner explains. “I was excited because it seemed like, ‘Oh, this is a way to play with people’s expectations and assumptions.'”
A script that shocks and seduces
The strength of “Strange Darling” lies in its ability to manipulate stereotypes. The film opens with a striking image: a beautiful woman, covered in blood, running from a man with a gun. This setup immediately plays on the audience’s assumptions, but as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that nothing is as it seems.
The plot centers around a one-night stand between two characters known only as The Lady (Willa Fitzgerald) and The Demon (Kyle Gallner). The film’s nonlinear narrative and the early revelation that this is a story about a serial killer set the stage for a series of unexpected twists.
Subverting expectations
As the characters debate whether to move from a truck to a cheap hotel room, the camera subtly hints at the danger ahead by passing over a hidden gun. Once inside, their rough foreplay takes a dark turn, revealing that The Lady is actually the serial killer. However, before she can kill The Demon, he shoots her, leading to a bloody chase through a small Oregon town.
The film’s ability to keep the audience guessing is largely due to the performances of Fitzgerald and Gallner. Mollner emphasizes the importance of their honest portrayals, which help maintain the film’s tension and surprise.
“I talked to Willa and Kyle about always playing to the truth, the emotional truths of their characters and not paying any attention to performing in a way that would misdirect the audience,” Mollner says. “They’re both great actors and we’ll worry about misdirection in the framework of the story and the way the narrative is told.”
Visual storytelling
Beyond the script and performances, the film’s visual style plays a crucial role in creating an immersive experience. Actor Giovanni Ribisi, making his debut as a feature cinematographer, shot the film on 35mm, drawing inspiration from classics like David Lynch’s “Blue Velvet”, David Cronenberg’s “Dead Ringers”, and Ingmar Bergman’s “Cries and Whispers”.
“We wanted the candy-coated saturated look that also had some grain,” Mollner says. “We were really in the mood to use color as a weapon. We talked about ‘blood on the flower bed’ as our mission statement. That’s what we wanted this movie to be.”
The final act
The Lady’s journey culminates in two fateful car rides. In the first, the police discover her true identity as a serial killer. She explains that she kills people who appear to her as demons, adding a complex layer to her character. Mollner hints at the possibility that The Lady sees herself as a demon slayer, though he leaves this interpretation open to the audience.
“The idea was to create a serial killer who’s not a sociopath, necessarily,” he says. “She has other issues but does feel remorse and compelled to do these things, but feels bad about doing them.”
The film’s emotional climax is a prolonged shot of The Lady, who is killed by a local after recklessly flashing a gun. This stark and emotional ending underscores the film’s commitment to subverting expectations and delivering a memorable experience.
“The emotional ending was pretty much the same from the beginning, but as far as how it physically ended, that scene was not in there,” Mollner says. “We decided to put that in there around the third or fourth draft and have a locked-off shot for three minutes or however long it ends up being.”
A new standard in horror
“Strange Darling” sets a new standard for horror films, blending shocking twists with deep character exploration and stunning visuals. Mollner’s innovative approach and the powerful performances of Fitzgerald and Gallner make this a must-see for any horror enthusiast.
For more information and to watch the trailer, visit Strange Darling.
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