Strange Darling: The Thrilling Mind-Bender You Didn’t See Coming

I’ve been dying for a movie like Strange Darling. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good Hollywood blockbuster that drowns me in explosions and effects, but where are the fresh flicks? The kind of movie that sneaks up behind you and smacks you on the head with something truly original? It's like Hollywood and indie filmmakers have either lost their nerve or just plain forgotten how to make something bold and inventive.

I was too young for Pulp Fiction when it first hit theaters, and I definitely wasn’t around when Hitchcock made people afraid of taking showers after Psycho. But I bet seeing those for the first time had the same “holy sh*t, this is new” vibe I got from Strange Darling—which, by the way, I caught at 2 p.m. on a random weekday without ever seeing the trailer. (Who knew that was the perfect time to have my mind blown?)

On paper, Strange Darling sounds like another run-of-the-mill indie thriller, but trust me, this movie is NOT what you think. Just when you start to understand what’s happening, Strange Darling yanks the rug out from under your feet with enough force to flip you head over heels. Editing? Surprising. Music? Unexpected. It's a small film, shot on glorious 35mm, with only two characters—but it feels like a much bigger beast.

Also, Giovanni Ribisi shot the thing! Yes, THAT Giovanni Ribisi! Apparently, he decided to pick up a camera and nailed it on his first try as a cinematographer. Who knew? Strange Darling looks incredible on 35mm, like a beautiful fever dream.

Heads up, though—this movie isn’t shy about getting graphic. One of the central themes is sexual violence, so don’t just throw it on at a casual family movie night. In fact, a mom and her teenage son were in the theater with me, and "awkward" doesn’t begin to describe their ride home.

Now, let's talk about the vibe. This movie hit me with shades of Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange and The Shining, and there’s plenty of Hitchcock-level cleverness sprinkled throughout. Add a dash of David Lynch’s eerie, unsettling weirdness and just a hint of Tarantino's flair (because why not), and you’ve got a recipe for something wild.

And the actors? Oh man, Willa Fitzgerald came out of nowhere and crushed it. She’s been floating around TV shows in bit parts, but here? She commands the screen like she’s been doing for decades, channeling the energy of heavyweights like Jessica Chastain or Charlize Theron. And Kyle Gallner? This guy deserves a standing ovation. He’s “The Demon,” and somehow balances his character’s bizarre nature in ways that make all of the surprises work. If you’ve seen him in The Passenger or Jennifer’s Body, you know he’s good—but he’s next level here. Both of them give career-defining performances.

Strange Darling is intense, gripping, and easily one of the biggest surprises I’ve had in years. I need to see it again ASAP, and if it’s as rewatchable as I hope, there’s a good chance it’ll be my favorite movie of 2024. If you’re into dark thrillers and trust my recommendations, make it a point to see this in a theater. Seriously, it’s the only way to fully experience a movie like this. If it’s not available near you and you have to wait to stream it at home, make sure to watch with the lights off, sound up, and your phone in another room.