The Less You Know About 'Strange Darling,' the Better

Writer/director J.T. Mollner's excellent thriller is full of nasty surprises.

Strange Darling, the new thriller from writer/director J.T. Mollner, is goddamn brilliant. And while I know I say “I can’t discuss this movie without spoiling it” quite a bit, that is especially true in this case. To even hint at what the film does and how it does would potentially give you some idea of where it goes, and I don’t wanna do that. And now I’m vaguely concerned that telling you I don’t want to give you some idea of where Strange Darling goes may give you some idea of where Strange Darling goes. Have I already said too much?

What I can safely tell you is that Strange Darling is a thriller about a hook-up gone horribly, horribly wrong (at a hotel called the Blue Angel, which is meaningful. FUCK. Forget I said that!). The man, only ever known to us as “The Demon,” is played by Kyle Gallner, who is excellent; the woman, only ever known to us as “The Lady,” is played by Willa Fitzgerald, who is next-level crazy-bananas incredible. Like, Mia-Goth-in-Pearl incredible. If there is any justice in the world, Strange Darling will make Fitzgerald a star, or at least land her the job that makes her a star.

Ed Begley, Jr. and Barbara Hershey also show up, as a self-proclaimed couple of “old hippies,” and they’re fantastic, as they generally tend to be. Also, what their characters eat for breakfast has to be seen to be believed.

In addition to making Fitzgerald a household name, Strange Darling should also do wonders for the career of writer/director J.T. Mollner, who previously made the western Outlaws and Angels. I haven’t seen that movie, and it’s allegedly not very good (I mean, it stars Chad Michael Murray, fer Chrissakes). But Strange Darling is so well made that I find that almost impossible to believe. And even if it is true, Mollner clearly learned something while making it, because he hits the ball out of the park here. The film includes homages to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Brian De Palma, but it’s not another one of these cinematic “greatest hits” reels, like Alien: Romulus; instead, it synthesizes those influences into something new and original. Just as The Last Stop in Yuma County announced filmmaker Francis Galluppi as major talent to watch, so Strange Darling is just about the best calling card for Mollner imaginable.

Let’s see, what else can I tell you… ah, yes: the cinematography is by Giovanni Ribisi. Yes, that Giovanni Ribisi. He played a photographer in Lost in Translation, but I had no idea that he’s an actual photographer. And he’s good, too! The entire movie was shot on 35mm, which once upon a time was no big deal, but is now sufficiently rare that Strange Darling literally announces is in on-screen text before the film proper begins.

And that is, truly, just about all I can say without spoiling anything (you can safely watch the trailer, below, if you please). I may very well circle back around and write more about Strange Darling after people have had a chance to see it, but for now, I just really, REALLY want people to go buy a ticket; the movie is THAT good, and I think it’s in danger of flying a little too low under the radar. It had a relatively small release on 1,135 screens this past weekend, when it grossed $1.14 million (to give you some sense of perspective, Deadpool & Wolverine opened a month ago, is still on 3,840 screens, and made about $18 million over the weekend). If you don’t see Strange Darling now, you can’t complain about theaters not showing enough smaller movies for adults later. I mean, the way it plays (and preys) on the audience’s own assumptions and prejudices is-

Aw, shit. Have I already said too much?