“Don’t Worry Darling”

2022, Directed By Olivia Wilde

Much as I hate to admit it, I had a really good time watching this as my laid back Sunday afternoon movie. Allow me to be completely forthcoming here: I had the lowest of expectations, but the only thing that met them was Harry; everything else exceeded anything I could’ve hoped for. I came for the riotous twitter drama, but stayed for the women and lush visual experience.

I am very impressed with the flick as a whole. It’s a dystopian, psychological thriller with a twist of SciFi, and while it might have benefited from tighter script editing, it was a fair entry into these genres. I can see the indelible influence of Hitchcock, Welles, Peele, Aster, Shyamalan, and dare I also say…a spot of Kubrick or two. This is exquisitely shot with truly outstanding cinematography, seasoned with a dash of technicolor and a sprinkling of 1970s exploitation. Each scene is framed, directed, and choreographed to perfection to amplify a sense of dread and discomfort, and the actors wield paranoia with expertise*. The set design and costume design also absolutely slays, and I want it all (but just for funsies and decor aesthetic, not a lifestyle).

Without spoiling anything, I certainly hope anyone who is in a “partnership” with someone who listens to Joe Rogan will immediately take heed to flee while you can. Girl, run away from The Evil Henchman, and pedal fast and unrelenting towards that tasty, tasty land of freedom glowing on the horizon with the speed of a hungry cheetah races toward a gazelle, and never look back. Just… trust me.

*all praise for the cast from my perspective excludes Mr. Styles, always