Film of the Day: "Strange Darling" — An Indie Horror That Plays Cat and Mouse with You

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She runs. He pursues. She's wearing a red jumpsuit and blood. He's got a rifle and a look of determination.

From the first few minutes, it seems like we're watching another slasher about a victim and a maniac. But "Strange Darling" (2024) is just pretending. This is actually a puzzle where roles switch places, and the truth turns out to be far more terrifying than you thought.

What the movie's about

Director JT Mollner set up a challenge for viewers: six chapters edited out of order. The chronology is disrupted, but not randomly — each shift adds layers, like in a good thriller.

A woman nicknamed The Lady appears to be a potential victim at first glance. But the further we go, the more signs emerge that she's the hunter. Playing "serial killer" versus actual murders — the plot takes a nosedive, transforming into a devilishly elegant horror farce.

Plus, according to information from "Wikipedia", the murders shown in the film are based on real events that occurred in the western United States.

Viewing experience

Watching "Strange Darling" is like unraveling a Möbius strip. Each scene changes the context of the previous one. Violence here isn't just bloody — it's disturbingly intimate.

The Lady, played by Willa Fitzgerald, mesmerizes: you're not sure whether you want to run from her or understand her. And Kyle Gallner turns the "stalker" character into someone you both pity and fear.
A red-haired girl stands in profile, on the right a man in a checkered shirt holding a rifle
Frames from the movie "Strange Darling"
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The film is shot entirely on 35mm film — and this makes it wickedly stylish. The lighting, camera work, editing — everything makes this one of the most beautiful indie horrors of recent years.

Critics and audience reaction

On Rotten Tomatoes — 96% "fresh", on IMDb — a solid seven. Reviews call the film "perversely beautiful", "shocking" and "an honest story about people whose eyes reflect only the devil".

The main advice from viewers: don't read spoilers. Just sit down and let the movie mess with your head.

IMDb viewer Josh-GenX wrote in his review: "This is a beautifully shot action thriller. The special effects, makeup and choice of cars are all top notch. I highly recommend this film. 8/10".

"Strange Darling" literally plays with the viewer. And you won't immediately understand who's leading whom to slaughter here. Earlier on zoomboola.com we told you about the film "Poison" — Benedict Cumberbatch versus a poisonous snake.