Strange Darling

Content Advisory: Rape and Sexual Assault, Abuse, Excessive or gratuitous violence, Substance abuse or alcoholism, Kidnapping

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The final reign of terror of a serial killer is told in a non-linear fashion in Strange Darling. The Lady (Willa Fitzgerald) is being pursued down a rural stretch of road by the Demon (Kyle Gallner), who shoots at her with a shotgun. The Lady eventually takes shelter at the home of an eccentric doomsday prepper couple, Frederick (Ed Begley Jr.) and Genevieve (Barbara Hershey). However, that is just the middle of this story.

Strange Darling Synopsis

Strange Darling is a serial killer horror/thriller film written and directed by JT Mollner. The film is also shot in 35mm, as boasted in an opening title card, by actor Giovanni Ribisi, who is also a producer on the film. The film stars Willa Fitzgerald (Wildcat) and Kyle Gallner (Scream, Smile) as the two central protagonists, named only The Lady and The Demon.

The plot of Strange Darling is told in six chapters, plus an epilogue, which is presented in a non-linear order. The film begins in Chapter 3, showing The Lady on the run from The Demon, before rewinding to Chapter 1 to show them engaged in a BDSM encounter in a motel. Each chapter reveals a little bit more about the dynamic between the two and how they fit into the larger story.

My Thoughts on Strange Darling

Strange Darling is indeed one of those films that are best seen knowing as little specifics about the plot as possible. I have to praise the film’s editing by Christopher Robin Bell, since the non-linear narrative of the film has to be presented in such a way, as to not give away plot details too early. Without revealing too much, the viewer’s opinion of both The Lady and The Demon changes as the plot of the film progresses.

Strange Darling sadly loses a few points from me for its inclusion of an opening title card that practically boasts that it is shot on 35mm. Even if the film wasn’t shot by Giovanni Ribisi, making his debut behind the camera, this opening statement comes off as quite pretentious. Despite what some may think, there are still many filmmakers today who shoot on 35 mm and other traditional celluloid formats. They just don’t advertise this fact so blatantly.

While Strange Darling as a whole is a solid thriller, even though the BDSM sections can get disturbing, it also feels like a film that is built around a gimmick. Strange Darling isn’t the first film to be built around a non-linear narrative and films that have come before it, such as Christopher Nolan’s Memento, end up leaving a much more lasting impression. Also, in a final technical criticism, Strange Darling film presents its Texas Chainsaw Massacre-style opening as red text against a black background, which really hurts the eyes.

Trailer for Strange Darling