Don't Worry Darling

Venice Film Festival #18 - PalaBiennale

“Y’know, my favorite thing about the movie is, like, it feels like a movie. It feels like a real, like, you know, go to the theatre film, movie”

The amount of hate this film is getting is absurd, it has really shocked me how many people are able to get swept up into drama and let that influence their opinions of a film that’s presented to them. If we had truly watched the same thing there’s no way this film would be getting the abysmal scores it’s getting from some people.

For one, Florence Pugh delivers what might be her best performance of all time. Yes it’s true she does carry the film on her back but that’s simply because of how incredible she is here. The weakest part of the film, the writing, has absolutely no effect on her ability to fill the screen with this effervescent present that she’s been able to do in every project she’s been in. The fact that even in a film that isn’t the most impressive she still shines through, much like her work in Black Widow, cements her as one of the best working actresses at the moment.

To my surprise as well, after that infamous clip was released, Harry Styles delivers a decent performance. The fact that he can hold himself even just a little against the force that is Pugh is impressive. And shockingly his wavy accent is a choice? Well the film at least presents it that way, but wether or not this was something done retrospectively is unclear, however if this was a conscious choice then it’s kind of amazing.

All the other cast members turn in good performances, I particularly enjoyed Olivia Wilde acting, however none of the tertiary characters are developed enough meaning the actors don’t have a lot to chew on. This is a Florence Pugh film though and the film is well aware of that, and by focusing on her it makes for a far more engaging film.

The cinematography from Matthew Libatique is stunning too. It does a lot for creating this idyllic paradise that they’re supposed to be living in but also is able to convey the idea that there’s something deeper happening. Also an incredible score from John Powell that does wonders for building the anxiety throughout the film.

Sure the writing isn’t anything mind-blowing, it retreads a lot of the same threads explored in these kinds of films. The whole plot feels a little half baked, it meanders for a long time before getting into the meat and the antagonist isn’t explored nearly enough, but there’s some hidden gems in here. This idea of society’s romanticisation of the past, and especially from a male perspective really worked quite well until it becomes a bit too on the nose near the end. There’s good stuff within this film though, it’s no Booksmart, but it doesn’t deserve the abhorrent amount of hate it’s getting