The first fantastic movie I have seen in 2024. A relentless and fully unhinged romp that is equal parts sexy and disgusting. Gripping entertainment from start to finish.
I found Rose Glass's debut Saint Maud to have certain qualities but overall found it rather underwhelming. This trailer, however, showed such promise that I felt like putting my feelings about that movie aside completely. I came into this hoping to like it as much as I liked the trailer, but I'm happy to report that it far surpassed my expectations. I loved just about every single thing about it.
Obviously, the breakthrough performance from beautifully ripped beastmaster Katy O'Brian is the real show stealer here. She is super-likable and impossible to look away from. But, the entire cast lays down grade-A performances. Dave Franco fully delivers the despicable southwest trash. Jena Malone is unrecognizable at first as she's done up to look as trashy and decrepit as can be - the looks work and so does her performance. Ed Harris is as intimidating as always when he gets cast for those sorts of roles. It's funny how when the movie starts, you're like "wow, everyone in this town has a mullet", until you meet Harris's character and you realize he runs things because he's the only one with a SKULLET. And, yes, the legend Kristen Stewart is, of course, perfect as the lead. I know a lot of people can't deal with K-Stew's "acting" but I think that just means you wouldn't vibe with her as a person. I feel that she very much just brings "herself" to the screen in a very organic way - she is not an actress of great range but she is absolutely perfect for certain roles, and this is one of them. Other than the first Twilight, this is going to be the first movie I think of when I think of K-Stew now.
The soundtrack is a 10 out of 10, featuring a killer slew of ace 80's jams from the weird punky underworld of new wave (the expansive montage to the song by the very underrated Gina X Performance stands out most). The rather traditionally approached synth score is also tasteful and effective, laid down by none other than the absolute king composer of our lifetime, Clint Mansell (Requiem For a Dream, The Fountain, etc).
The first half of the film plays out in a very traditional manner, so immaculately structured, and edited so tightly, that I would say it has a FLAWLESS pace. All killer, no filler. The second half of the film moves at a comparable pace, only it feels more ruthless and jagged because the events themselves become far more out-there, and thus, unpredictable. Because the intense events in the second half feel so piled on top of each other, it starts to feel like the movie is "moving very quickly". Some will see this as a flaw, and I would say it's one of the only debatable flaws about the entire film, but I enjoy it and think it's just more reason to come back for rewatches, like a good 2 minute and 30 second song!
Another complaint I've observed is over a couple of events that occur in the 3rd act. To summarize, there are only two surrealist scenes in the whole film, while the rest of the film occurs in the realm of realism. Due to this, those two scenes throw some viewers off and feel "out of place" to a lot of people, which is understandable, but of course, surrealist sequences are my favorite thing in movies as a whole so I welcome them all with open arms. I fully enjoyed them! They are both very memorable sequences and work great symbolically! Unforgettable!
This is the epitome of an INSTANT CULT CLASSIC. And it definitely begs for repeat viewings from those who enjoy it. It's a proper popcorn flick for the twisted freaks! And the first half is legitimately hot. I very much hope to see new icon Katy O'Brian in some more killer roles soon. Rose Glass has also won my fandom!
I found Rose Glass's debut Saint Maud to have certain qualities but overall found it rather underwhelming. This trailer, however, showed such promise that I felt like putting my feelings about that movie aside completely. I came into this hoping to like it as much as I liked the trailer, but I'm happy to report that it far surpassed my expectations. I loved just about every single thing about it.
Obviously, the breakthrough performance from beautifully ripped beastmaster Katy O'Brian is the real show stealer here. She is super-likable and impossible to look away from. But, the entire cast lays down grade-A performances. Dave Franco fully delivers the despicable southwest trash. Jena Malone is unrecognizable at first as she's done up to look as trashy and decrepit as can be - the looks work and so does her performance. Ed Harris is as intimidating as always when he gets cast for those sorts of roles. It's funny how when the movie starts, you're like "wow, everyone in this town has a mullet", until you meet Harris's character and you realize he runs things because he's the only one with a SKULLET. And, yes, the legend Kristen Stewart is, of course, perfect as the lead. I know a lot of people can't deal with K-Stew's "acting" but I think that just means you wouldn't vibe with her as a person. I feel that she very much just brings "herself" to the screen in a very organic way - she is not an actress of great range but she is absolutely perfect for certain roles, and this is one of them. Other than the first Twilight, this is going to be the first movie I think of when I think of K-Stew now.
The soundtrack is a 10 out of 10, featuring a killer slew of ace 80's jams from the weird punky underworld of new wave (the expansive montage to the song by the very underrated Gina X Performance stands out most). The rather traditionally approached synth score is also tasteful and effective, laid down by none other than the absolute king composer of our lifetime, Clint Mansell (Requiem For a Dream, The Fountain, etc).
The first half of the film plays out in a very traditional manner, so immaculately structured, and edited so tightly, that I would say it has a FLAWLESS pace. All killer, no filler. The second half of the film moves at a comparable pace, only it feels more ruthless and jagged because the events themselves become far more out-there, and thus, unpredictable. Because the intense events in the second half feel so piled on top of each other, it starts to feel like the movie is "moving very quickly". Some will see this as a flaw, and I would say it's one of the only debatable flaws about the entire film, but I enjoy it and think it's just more reason to come back for rewatches, like a good 2 minute and 30 second song!
Another complaint I've observed is over a couple of events that occur in the 3rd act. To summarize, there are only two surrealist scenes in the whole film, while the rest of the film occurs in the realm of realism. Due to this, those two scenes throw some viewers off and feel "out of place" to a lot of people, which is understandable, but of course, surrealist sequences are my favorite thing in movies as a whole so I welcome them all with open arms. I fully enjoyed them! They are both very memorable sequences and work great symbolically! Unforgettable!
This is the epitome of an INSTANT CULT CLASSIC. And it definitely begs for repeat viewings from those who enjoy it. It's a proper popcorn flick for the twisted freaks! And the first half is legitimately hot. I very much hope to see new icon Katy O'Brian in some more killer roles soon. Rose Glass has also won my fandom!