Strange Darling Teased A Big Twist, But I Was Disappointed In The Reveal

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As a seasoned gamer and cinephile with over three decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the recent release of “Strange Darling” has left me both impressed and somewhat disappointed.

CAUTION: The subsequent content reveals the surprising plot point of the latest 2024 film, ‘Strange Darling’. Proceed with care if you haven’t watched it yet.

Currently streaming on VOD, the recently released horror film titled “Strange Darling” has been acclaimed as one of the top horror movies of 2024 and even earned compliments from Stephen King, who described it as “too clever to spoil.” Regrettably, I must admit that my sentiments do not align with this assessment. However, had it not been for the overly aggressive advertising campaign, I might have felt differently… Let me clarify further.

I Guessed Strange Darling’s Twist Long Before I Even Saw It

In “Strange Darling,” Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner play characters whose chance encounter leads to a lethal game of cat-and-mouse. Initially, the story appears to portray Gallner’s character as a serial killer and Fitzgerald as his victim, but the plot takes an unexpected twist: it turns out that Fitzgerald is a notorious murderer known as “The Electric Lady,” and Gallner is a police officer in hot pursuit after she manages to escape from his grasp.

I’m guessing it’s not just me who saw the twist coming; it seems quite predictable given how common such plot twists are in stories, doesn’t it? If the movie hadn’t so blatantly hinted at the surprise ending through its promotional materials, I might have enjoyed the unexpected turn of events more.

The Twist Should Have Never Been Hinted At In The Trailer

Generally, I try to steer clear of movie trailers as much as possible. However, an exception was made when I accidentally came across Strange Darling during a screening of the latest A24 horror film, MaXXXine, at the cinema. The preview piqued my curiosity, but I must admit, the rather revealing review snippets left me slightly cautious.

For example, in the preview, Amylou Ahava from Nightmarish Conjurings is cited as remarking that the movie “bucks conventional norms,” and Mike Flanagan, Fitzgerald’s collaborator and one of my favorite filmmakers, cautions viewers to “approach without prior knowledge.” I would have preferred to watch the film in such a manner, but unfortunately, this very trailer took away that opportunity.

The trailer for “Strange Darling” is like many others that try to pique curiosity by suggesting a surprise twist. It successfully hooked me, but in hindsight, it spoiled the experience as I found myself guessing the twist and turning out to be right. While this might be gratifying for some viewers, I personally prefer not having the ending revealed beforehand.

Still, Strange Darling Is One Impressive Thriller

Despite my disappointment with the climactic twist, I have only praise for the movie “Strange Darling”. Director JT Mollner skillfully created a gripping chase film that maintains an unrelenting level of suspense. The non-linear storyline, which Mollner fought hard to include, significantly contributes to this effect.

It is also a visually entrancing experience, shot entirely on 35mm film (as an opening credit proudly states) by cinematographer (and also producer) Giovanni Ribisi, whom you might know better from the Saving Private Ryan cast or as Phoebe’s half-brother, Frank, on Friends. Really bringing the material to life are the modern horror movie icon Gallner and, especially, Fitzgerald, putting in a dazzling, boldly devilish, and potentially career-defining performance.

As a devoted fan who’s eager to share my thoughts, I assume you’ve already watched “Strange Darling” prior to reading this. If not, I fear my perspective might color your experience, potentially making the film seem less than satisfying to you. However, if, like me, you can still find much to appreciate about it, then perhaps this is a passionate production akin to films such as “The Sixth Sense” or “Psycho,” masterpieces that while heavily reliant on their twist, are not entirely defined by it. I first saw these classics long after knowing the ending, and they still captivated me.

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2024-11-25 04:07