Michael's Movie Grade: B
A well-made neo-noir.
Though with lots of over-the-top sex, violence and gross out moments, this film may not be for everyone there is a lot to really enjoy about this movie. The main reason this film works is because it is a suspense movie that keeps you guessing the whole way through. You never know what is going to happen next and this keeps you constantly on the edge of your seat. Even during the times when you think you know where the story is heading the movie will throw you a curve that will take you by surprise. Sometimes it will even do what you except but throw a little twist on top of that. Director Rose Glass (in what is only her second feature film) also gives us many perfectly staged suspense scenes that simply elevate the film above the pulpy exploitive picture this could have been in lesser hands. Just as much as this is a dark noir-style thriller, it is also a love story. While the characters all have their dark and twisted sides, we also grow to care about them. The romance between our two main characters is incredibly well done. Much of this is simply due to the incredible chemistry between Kristen Stewart (who continues a streak of roles that prove she is a really good actress) and Katy O'Brien. You can always feel the sexual tension between these two, which is incredibly important with how sexually charged this film is (with many very erotic sex scenes that have no fear of how far they are willing to go). Because of this the sex scenes feel like moments of complete passion that can't be held back, rather than coming off as simply pornography. Because of this they feel like a natural and important part of the film instead of simply exploitive.
The main problem with this movie is that it often goes back and forth between being a serious thriller and being something much more intentionally campy. The transitions between the serious and the campy scenes often are too abrupt and take you out of the movie. There are also moments when the film can get simply too campy for its own good. One important scene near the end doesn't work at all because of this and that really hurts the film.
While definitely flawed and far from for everyone, there is a lot to love about this film.
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