Strange Darling, written and directed by JT Mollner, is set in rural Oregon during a serial killer’s spree. The film follows a woman and a man who meet at a bar and engage in a one-night stand that takes a dark turn, culminating in a dramatic and violent confrontation. The story unfolds through six nonlinear chapters and an epilogue, attempting to explore the escalating tension and chaos of their encounter.
The film is packed with stylistic gimmicks but often feels like the work of a film school graduate overly enamored with their ideas and given a budget to experiment. While it may look and sound slick, it ultimately lacks depth. The first half grabs attention with its puzzle-like narrative approach, reminiscent of Memento or 21 Grams. However, the intrigue fades as the story progresses and the novelty wears off. By the midpoint, when the narrative pieces begin to fall into place, the film loses much of its appeal. It’s as though Mollner prioritized cleverness over substance, evident from the start, where the movie “begins” three times in an attempt to build anticipation for something extraordinary—but neglects to create compelling characters or situations to sustain the story.
Character development is a glaring weakness, particularly for the male lead, the Demon (played by Kyle Gallner). His lack of interesting traits makes it hard for viewers to invest in the central conflict. The film’s attempts at building suspense are further undercut by jarring tonal shifts and distractingly on-the-nose music choices. Hearing lyrics like “love hurts, love scars” or “the devil you know, the devil you don’t” accompanying pivotal scenes feels almost laughable and detracts from the tension.
Barbara Hershey and Ed Begley Jr. bring some much-needed levity with their performances, including a memorable brunch scene that might leave you craving a good meal. Unfortunately, their contributions come too late to salvage the film. The final shot, clearly inspired by the ending of Pearl, lingers far too long and feels unearned rather than impactful.
Overall, Strange Darling has a fun narrative structure and ambition, but it is overshadowed by shallow storytelling, lackluster character development, and an over-reliance on style without substance.