Summary
Stephen King shares a positive and cryptic review of an upcoming horror movie,Strange Darling, calling it “a clever masterpiece.” Written and directed by JT Mollner, known for his debutOutlaws and Angels, the forthcoming horror film follows a twisted one-night stand that spirals into a serial killer’s vicious murder spree. Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner lead that cast alongside Giovanni Ribisi, Barbara Hershey,Better Call Saul’s Ed Begley Jr., Madisen Beaty, Bianca Santos, and Steven Michael Quezada.
On X, formerly Twitter,Stephen Kingshared a positive but cryptic review ofStrange Darling, calling it “a clever masterpiece” that is “too clever to spoil.” Check out his posts below:
In his first post, as seen above, King writes, “I got an advance screener of STRANGE DARLING, and it’s really terrific. I’ll try to attach the trailer here, because it’s also a clever masterpiece. Can’t say more; watch the film and you’ll understand what the trailer is up to.”
In his second post, seen above, King adds, “I wish I could say more about STRANGE DARLING, but it’s one of those films that’s too clever to spoil, so best to say nothing.”
What Strange Darling Reviews Are Saying About The Upcoming Horror Movie
It Has A Perfect 100% Score On Rotten Tomatoes
King received an advanced screener forStrange Darling, though he isn’t the only one who has seen and is praising thehorror movie releasing in 2024. Back in September 2023,Strange Darlingpremiered at the Fantastic Fest, wherereviews praised it as a captivating and twisty thriller. Many critics call it a throwback to 1970s crime films with unique narrative techniques, powerful performances, contemporary social commentary, and a blend of gritty aesthetics. Like King, many critics suggestStrange Darlingis best experienced with minimal prior knowledge for full impact.
Magenta Light Studios acquired the U.S. distribution rights toStrange Darlingand has scheduled it for a theatrical release on August 23.
Because of this unanimously positive critical response,Strange Darlingcurrently holds a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoeswith 16 reviews, though it could drop as more are published. As seen in theStrange Darlingtrailer, which King shared in his post, critics are calling it “jaw-dropping,” “one of the best surprises of the year,” and"the cleverest thriller of its kind" that “defies expectations.“Director Mike Flanagancalls the film “sublimely brilliant” and like King, emphasizes that “you must go in blind.”
Mollner’s feature film debut, the WesternOutlaws and Angels, received much praise at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival for his use of Kodak film stock along with vintage Panavision cameras and lenses. Similarly,Strange Darlingwas shot entirely on 35mm film with its director of photography, Ribisi, even making a cameo in the movie. King has a vested interest in Mollner’s work since he adapted the author’s 1979 novelThe Long Walkfor the upcoming film which will be helmed byThe Hunger Gamesdirector Francis Lawrence.
Strange Darling
Cast
A twisted one-night stand spirals into a deadly game of cat and mouse when a relentless predator chases an injured woman through the Oregon wilderness.
