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A life long cinephile from the Bay Area in Northern California. Aside from having written for various outlets since 2019, I've been podcasting since 2020.
(Currently Co-Hosting the Geekly Goods Roundup)
When I'm not indulged in a ridiculous amount of media consumption or losing track of days on my Nintendo Switch, I can be found at concerts or playing basketball.
Admittedly, the very mention of Don’t Worry Darling in the past few weeks has been problematic. A whirlwind of controversy and internet speak has dominated the headlines way more than the film itself. Yet alas, I figured on the promise of its solid trailer and talented cast that it should still be worth seeing. To my pleasant surprise, it actually was.
Eye Candy… Literally
From the very first frame, Oscar nominee Matthew Libatique commands your attention with his beautiful photography. Not to take anything away from the gorgeous cast, but ironically enough the utopian 50’s set pieces and Libatique’s clean, vivid cinematography are the true stars of Don’t Worry Darling.
2022 has truly been a visually captivating year for cinema. From Baz Luhrmann’s manic energy of Elvis or Ti West’s technicolor showcase of Pearl, Don’t Worry Darling adds to the year’s list of exciting visual storytelling. In tandem with an invasive score by John Powell, the combination makes for some riveting sequences.
Playing Their Part
The very good-looking cast does have its moments of course. Don’t Worry Darling wouldn’t work without them. The entire ensemble performs quite well, but in particular, Florence Pugh & Chris Pine are terrific. The entire narrative follows Pugh’s Alice Chambers as she lives out a picture-perfect suburban life with her husband Jack (Harry Styles). Eventually, things don’t feel right for Alice as she begins to discover, little by little, that there is more than meets the eye in her seemingly quiet, perfect community. Pugh is in fine form whether it’s her endless devotion to Jack or her hopeless curiosities.
The community Alice lives in was founded by Frank (Pine). He also serves as their unofficial “mayor” of sorts, or leader if you will. Pine’s portrayal of Frank is pitch-perfect for the film. Equal parts inspiring and charming, it’s hard not to be compelled by his eloquent speeches. Yet moving as his monologues are, there is always something eerie lurking underneath the surface. In a world where everyone practically worships the ground on which Frank walks, the way Alice begins to eventually question and challenge him makes for some brilliant moments of tension.
Another Impressive Showing
Credit to director and co-star Olivia Wilde for making some mundane and ordinary scenes feel like so much more. Whether you like her or not, one cannot deny her abilities both behind and in front of the camera. As previously noted the cinematography and score play huge roles here but Wilde definitely has a keen eye. There’s a particular one-shot sequence with 4 people talking that is simply anxiety-inducing. Wilde keeps this energy permeating throughout the film.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the film editing by Affonso Gonçalves. There are some frantic cuts and well-timed dissolves that just add icing to the delicious cake that makes up Don’t Worry Darling. As much credit as I’d like to give to Olivia Wilde, she clearly had an incredible team working with her as well.
A Worry-Free, Quality Finish
Although it takes a little longer than I would have liked, Don’t Worry Darling has a powerhouse ending that really puts this a notch above lesser quality mystery/thriller films. Pacing issues aside, the film shines where it counts. Harry Styles did fine by me. Not sure what the big fuss over him is honestly. If I had one complaint from the cast, it’d only be that I needed more Gemma Chan.
The grand finale had me on the edge of my seat. The ultimate reveal was compelling and impressively poignant for this day and age. From the Twilight Zone-esque atmosphere to the unnerving score, I thoroughly enjoyed Don’t Worry Darling from start to finish.
A life long cinephile from the Bay Area in Northern California. Aside from having written for various outlets since 2019, I've been podcasting since 2020.
(Currently Co-Hosting the Geekly Goods Roundup)
When I'm not indulged in a ridiculous amount of media consumption or losing track of days on my Nintendo Switch, I can be found at concerts or playing basketball.
This article was edited by John Tangalin.