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Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
Actor Willa Fitzgerald is no stranger to the horror genre, having portrayed final girl Emma Duval in twenty-four episodes of MTV’s Scream nearly a decade ago, then making her welcome in the Usher family in Mike Flanagan’s Netflix miniseries, The Fall of the House of Usher. Her horror acting feature debut has finally arrived in one of the more surprising titles of 2024, JT Mollner’s horror-thriller, Strange Darling. The film is an extensive cat-and-mouse chase scene, but it is also more than that. The narrative is an exploration of sexual tension and the intensity that is felt when boundaries are crossed. More than anything, however, this is just an entertaining thrill ride that doesn’t ever stomp on the brakes.
Strange Darling is written and directed by JT Mollner.
In this review, I will discuss Strange Darling. As the article’s title suggests, no spoilers will be present.
Strange Darling Synopsis
According to Magenta Light Studios and Miramax, here is the synopsis for JT Mollner’s Strange Darling.
In STRANGE DARLING, nothing is what it seems when a twisted one-night stand spirals into a serial killer’s vicious murder spree.
Magenta Light Studios/ Miramax
Discussion
Mollner’s screenwriting and direction take the production of this project to awesome lengths. Strange Darling‘s narrative structure is deliberate. In fact, he wastes no time in bringing about a succinct story about a serial killer and their victim. Breaking the storytelling into chapters was a wise decision, and the viewing experience makes more sense given the manner and the organization in which these chapters are presented. The drug and alcohol abuse, the car chasing, the foot chasing, the hide-and-seek activity—viewers’ hearts are meant to pace along with the narrative pacing.
Production designer Priscilla Elliott works on the fine aesthetics of the Victorian house—including set decorations such as the myriad framed photographs of its eccentric couple who make unusual breakfasts—and the fictional Blue Angel Hotel. Color coding makes the film, from the Lady’s (Willa Fitzgerald) red wig and red hospital scrubs, her natural blonde hair, to the red lighting in the hotel bathroom, to the light blue sky to the hotel’s blue neon sign shining onto the Lady and her “client”, the Demon (Kyle Gallner). The juxtaposition between the names “Blue Angel” and “The Demon” are also noteworthy details here.
Cinematographer Giovanni Ribisi takes absolutely lovely shots and angles, such as the protagonists’ chase as they accelerate their vehicles through a road, or the 360° movement as the Demon searches for the Lady in a house, or the split diopter framing of one lying in bed as the other prepares an eighth of powdered substances in front of a hotel dresser. I especially love the framing of the Lady sitting up in bed to light a cigarette or the Demon collapsed in a ground floor room of the old people’s home.
Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner Make the Story
Strange Darling cannot be what it is without its lead acting duo. While they do not have that large of an age gap, there is an interesting juxtaposition in dualisms between the Lady and the Demon. One is introduced to the structural order of the narrative by smoking with a vape device, and the other has a cigarette lit between two fingers. One character wants to swap phone numbers. Meanwhile, the other says that the romantic game is all about social media these days. On the one hand, there is a perspective through reality, and on the other is fantasy. When there is sobriety and intoxication, which add to the story and its touch on vitality.
I love watching Fitzgerald and Gallner perform alongside one another with Chris DeLeon’s musical composition and Z Berg’s soundtrack in the backdrop. The different musical tones of the score fluctuate with the moods of the scenes. The viewers are shown not to assume any archetypes and to let the story guide them to the truth. Mollner understands what the rules and conventions are and bends around with the established laws and protocols of what people are likely used to. On the surface, viewers see gender roles and the challenges they come with, like the idea of the male killer and the scream queen.
Consent
I need you to look me in the eyes and give me a serious answer.
The Lady (Willa Fitzgerald)
Aside from the action and the suspense, Mollner’s film thematically contains an element of consent to it. Due to the protagonists’ relationship, the Lady brings up the risk of disappointment and the possibility of violence before they engage in sexual activity. What is important is not whether it can happen but to acknowledge this idea within themselves and the audience. With the concept of consent also comes an uncertain layer of power dynamics. The Lady is essentially edging the Demon to a point, and rather than allowing him to burst out with sexual energy, he uses that to give the Lady a taste of her own medicine. As a male critic, I can only say this much without feeling as if it comes across as mansplaining.
The Crew Behind Strange Darling
Producer Giovanni Ribisi (the Ted film franchise, Prime Video’s Sneaky Pete, the Avatar film franchise) makes his feature debut as a director of photography. John Allen Phillips is credited as the stills photographer.
Chris DeLeon scores the music for the film. Matt Aberle serves as the music supervisor.
Z Berg writes original songs for the soundtrack. Christian Dolan serves as the sound mixer.
Christopher Robin Bell serves as the film editor.
Nancy Nayor serves as the casting director.
Priscilla Elliott serves as the production designer.
Rudy Rojas serves as the costume designer. Stefanie Terzo serves as the hairstylist.
The Cast of Strange Darling
Willa Fitzgerald (MTV’s Scream: The TV Series, Prime Video’s Reacher, Mike Flanagan’s The Fall of the House of Usher) portrays the eponymous character, The Lady.
Kyle Gallner (A Nightmare on Elm Street, Red State, Scream, Smile, The Passenger) portrays an antagonistic character called The Demon.
Jason Patric voices the true crime narrator.
Barbara Hershey and Ed Begley Jr. play Genevieve and Frederick, respectively, two old people referred to as “mountain people”.
Steven Michael Quezada portrays Sheriff Pete, while Madisen Beaty portrays the sheriff’s deputy, Gale.
Duke Mollner plays a roughneck staying at the Blue Angel Hotel. Bianca A. Santos portrays Tanya, a nurse wearing red hospital scrubs.
Sheri Foster Blake portrays a truck driver.
Performances and Character Developments
Willa Fitzgerald stuns with her ability to take on new character roles. As the Lady, the actor is able to get her way without so much trouble as obstacles on her path from one point to another. Costume designer Rudy Rojas and hairstylist Stefanie Terzo help lend an identity to the Lady. Her messy hair struggles to match her clothing. Yet, Fitzgerald manages to make her appearance work. Her ability to use words to her advantage is as crucial a tool as handguns and bullets, and the actor is an interesting choice to embody the Lady.
Gallner does not seem to be the traditional type to portray the antagonistic figure. However, after having seen Radio Silence’s Scream over two years ago, I have an idea of how he could be perceived as a villain, at least on the surface. The Demon is no Devil, although he can be harsh and rough at times in moments when he cannot achieve his goals. Whether he wants to reach a sexual climax or to apprehend his target, Gallner is the Tom to Fitzgerald’s Jerry. If the analogy is of any significance to you as a reader, then you might have an idea of what the movie-going experience feels like.
The most important side characters who, well, have more screen time than others are Genevieve (Barbara Hershey) and Frederick (Ed Begley Jr.). I feel the need to point them out because… their breakfast is weird. Like the story itself, there are layers upon layers of things that can be of value—sausages, eggs, and strawberries—whereas other things merely exist for the sweet factor—jam, maple syrup, and whipped cream.
Final Thoughts on Strange Darling
Strange Darling is a title that takes on a new meaning after the first watch. Mollner’s proclivity to manufacture a minimalist moving picture is a success on its own. The audience is not meant to know what to expect. With its characters, there is an opportunity to deliver a tale that is not human. Overall, this is an exciting endeavor for the filmmaker, his cast, and his crew that genre fans will enjoy in the years to come.
4/5 stars
JT Mollner’s Strange Darling is now playing in theaters!
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Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
