Going in Blind: Strange Darling Review

By: Myriam Akbar

About two years ago I realized that movie trailers often give away too much, so I began only watching them every now and then. Because of this, I had little-to-no information about 2024's Strange Darling prior to watching in theaters. I saw less than a minute of a non-spoiler review the day after its release. The creator said it was one of his favorites of the year but “You have to go in blind.” So, I closed the app and bought a ticket. I didn’t want to hear another word or start to analyze the poster in the green screen background. I recognized a face, though. Will Fitzgerald from MTV: Scream the TV Series! I’ve been a big fan of hers since that show and think her performance in this film solidified her as a horror scream queen. I was genuinely impressed by this film, particularly structural choices in the script. It’s rightfully celebrated and I believe for me, “going in blind” contributed to its eminence. 

Divided in chapters, the story kept me eagerly hooked with its non-linear plot formation. Every time I thought I understood the direction of the story, I was wrong. I could summarize the plot in simple terms: a game of cat and mouse, between a man and woman. Throughout the film, you must figure out who is actually the cat and who is the mouse. The thing is, this description doesn’t capture how enthralling the watch is. 

The film poses itself as a dramatization of an American serial killer, so the viewer is given just enough information for them to theorize. I believe the outstanding acting performances and unexpected nature of the non-linear storytelling make it a stand-out thriller of 2024. While the plot twists aren’t groundbreaking, the process to which we arrive at those conclusions is a roller-coaster ride you won’t want to get off. It plays on your biases and triggers, which makes for a memorable theater experience. It’s freaky, fresh, and ferocious!

Photo Cred: Wikipedia.com