Dir. Edgar Wright | Now Streaming On: Hulu | Rating: 4/5

Due to its critical acclaim, I held off watching this film for so long. I’m a fan of Anya Taylor-Joy, Thomasin McKenzie, and Edgar Wright – so I really didn’t want to be let down by this. I will say that I wasn’t particularly let down by Last Night in Soho, but I do feel like on finally watching this, the story feels unfinished. ⁠
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This film by all accounts is stunning to look at. The lighting, sound, and costuming sells the dreamlike vibe the audience stumbles through alongside Ellie. The characters, though well acted, do feel surface level at times. I find that we have to suspend our belief at several points to make sense of Ellie’s decisions and her interactions with the world around her. When the mystery is unveiled, it is clear that some details were overlooked, since the explanation doesn’t tie up all the loose ends perfectly. ⁠
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My biggest critique of this film is that it is meant to spin from a psychological to a revenge horror in its final act. The use of violence against women as a plot point by Wright feels a bit heavy handed and ultimately, this ending didn’t sit well with me. The women are portrayed as neither heroes or villains and in context of the storyline feels like a cheap move. This is hard to hash out in a review without spoiling anything but when coupled with the lack of depth of both female leads and no fulfilling resolution from the violence, I can’t personally give this a five. ⁠
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Definitely worth a watch, and maybe two to get your head around what you really think of it. Wright swings hard with his trademark originality and style, making this a palatable and engaging horror film for wide audiences despite its box office flop. ⁠
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Know Before You Watch: Features death, blood, flashing lights, mentions of suicide, sex, rape. ⁠