Looking for horror cult classic status, the indie film Strange Darling is playing around the North America at select theaters. October being the landing field for the genre, it looks like this bloody feast may just make some very good numbers at the box office. Nicely written and directed by JT Mollner, the film that’s based on a true story starts with a bang and gets madly compelling.
The film is broken down in 6 chapters, but due to the much guarded storyline that sets up a lot of gory surprises, it’s purposely told out of order. A smart move on director Mollner’s part, as his audience being kept off balance makes this thriller exciting and wacky. What can be said about the plot without giving anything away, is that it begins with a sexual tryst that turns into a nightmare of killing and chasing?
Able to hold the slippery story together is a brilliant cast of characters led by Willa Fitzgerald as The Lady and Kyle Gallner as The Demon. Their characters intermingle within the story following a date night turned bad. Willa’s “Lady of the Night” is very cagy and domineering avoiding a fast roll in the hay that presses her irrational “pick up” to vacillate between a loving partner and a sexual freak. Their continuous delusional relationship is what makes the film convincing while waiting for the final “bang”.
If you are a fan of thrillers that tie in a good measure of terror, than hurry to find a theater where it is playing. If you bring along a date, be expecting a number of jumps and seat shifting on this rollercoaster of death. The film is worthy of a cult following, but one time is enough from me. For the Halloween Horror Night gang it’s 5 out of 5 Stars.
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Willa Fitzgerald, Kyle Gallner, Barbara Hershey, Madisen Beaty, Ed Begley Jr., (voice) Giovanni Ribisi
Directed and written by: JT Mollneer
Genre: Horror, Thriller
MPAA Rating: Rated R for strong/bloody violent content, sexual material, drug use and language
Running Time: 1 hr. 37 min.
Opening Date: Now Playing
Distributed by: Miramax
Released in: Select Theaters
