Just caught this on HBO Max. Was really surprised- in a good way. I like films that don't always go where you expect and this film is definitely that.
Edgar Wright leaves a lot of his trademark humor and jump cuts behind to invest instead in technically stylish retro nostalgia of 1960's London ( the titular SOHO). Fashion student Ellie leaves her Grandma and her safe country home when she gets accepted to Fashion school in London. Ellie is an easy target for the other city girls in her school and soon finds a small room to rent off campus. Her first night in her new apartment we are introduced to Sandie, a bright eyed fashionista and wannabe singer who used to live in the same apartment in the '60's.
Ellie becomes obsessed with Sandie and starts to imitate her in many ways. We know that Ellie has mental issues due to her Mom killing herself when Ellie was Seven. Ellie becomes embroiled in Sandies story and begins to improve herself.
Sandies story quickly becomes dark however, like, really dark. Her boyfriend/manager ends up tricking her out at the club. Matt Smith plays a pimp. Suddenly the retro fairy tale about the swinging '60's becomes a cautionary tale about sex trafficking. Somehow the story gets even darker from there. I won't spoil too much but I will say it reminded me of STIR OF ECHOES with Kevin Bacon.
I can see this movie really divided people. Some loved it, others hated it. I thought it was really good and certainly a departure from Edgar Wrights other work. Kudos for the effort Sir!
The cast was fantastic: Thomasin McKenzie and Anya Taylor-Joy were fantastic! Matt Smith was both charming and creepy. Terrence Stamp was awesome per usual and the late Diana Rigg steals the show in the end. Not what I was expecting but a solid horror surprise that I would watch again. A solid 7 stars!
Edgar Wright leaves a lot of his trademark humor and jump cuts behind to invest instead in technically stylish retro nostalgia of 1960's London ( the titular SOHO). Fashion student Ellie leaves her Grandma and her safe country home when she gets accepted to Fashion school in London. Ellie is an easy target for the other city girls in her school and soon finds a small room to rent off campus. Her first night in her new apartment we are introduced to Sandie, a bright eyed fashionista and wannabe singer who used to live in the same apartment in the '60's.
Ellie becomes obsessed with Sandie and starts to imitate her in many ways. We know that Ellie has mental issues due to her Mom killing herself when Ellie was Seven. Ellie becomes embroiled in Sandies story and begins to improve herself.
Sandies story quickly becomes dark however, like, really dark. Her boyfriend/manager ends up tricking her out at the club. Matt Smith plays a pimp. Suddenly the retro fairy tale about the swinging '60's becomes a cautionary tale about sex trafficking. Somehow the story gets even darker from there. I won't spoil too much but I will say it reminded me of STIR OF ECHOES with Kevin Bacon.
I can see this movie really divided people. Some loved it, others hated it. I thought it was really good and certainly a departure from Edgar Wrights other work. Kudos for the effort Sir!
The cast was fantastic: Thomasin McKenzie and Anya Taylor-Joy were fantastic! Matt Smith was both charming and creepy. Terrence Stamp was awesome per usual and the late Diana Rigg steals the show in the end. Not what I was expecting but a solid horror surprise that I would watch again. A solid 7 stars!