So I had not intended on seeing this today. I had my tickets to The Crow and Blink Twice and I went to Cinemark to go to a 10 o’clock IMAX showing of the Crow. However, when I go there, I realized that my ticket was for 10 PM. I was there about 9:45 AM so I had messed this up. I looked at The Crow schedule and could not find one that would work for Blink Twice, and I had to readjust everything. Strange Darling, which had interested me, but did not fit with the original schedule was showing at 10 AM and that meant I had to substitute The Crow later for Blink Twice (though I may have chosen poorly after seeing The Crow). With my new ticket, I went to Strange Darling and I was so pleased that all this mess happened, because I loved this movie.

It is difficult to give a synopsis for this film. I’ll say this… there is a serial killer out there and a woman from a one night stand was being chased.

I can’t go into anything more without spoiling the movie and this was very original and well done.

The film was split into a six chapter format, but the story was told jumping around the chapters (I think it started in chapter four). This allowed the story to unfold in a most intriguing manner, keeping everyone on their toes for what was actually going on and pays off in a big way. The film is able to play with expectation and perspective amazingly well.

It was extremely violent and bloody, but none of it felt gratuitous. Inf act, I would go as far as to say that the violence worked so well that it created an artistic flare of gore.

Willa Fitzgerald starred as “The Lady” with Kyle Gallner, who was listed as “The Demon” and both of them give remarkable performances and carry most of the movie on their shoulders.

I was engaged with this story from the opening scene and it never faltered with every surprise and scene switch. The script is tight and effective. The direction, from director (and writer) JT Mollner, is excellent. Top line performances fill the moments. I had no idea what was coming next and I found myself completely thrilled. One of my favorite thriller/horror movies of the yea.

4.6 stars