Strange Darling

I’ve always loved Giovani Ribisi as an actor, so I was intrigued when I learned that he went behind the camera to serve as Director of Photography for Strange Darling. I went into it just curious to see what his vision through the lens would be.

That, and I like the trailer.

The cinematography was everything I hoped—unique, stylish, and experimental in the way you only see in an indie flick. The fact that it was shot entirely on real 35mm film  probably had something to do with that. No film emulation, no digital grain. It definitely helped give it a 70s exploitation grindhouse vibe.

Not to mention the “this is a true story” introduction à la The Texas Chainsaw Massacre set the tone right away that this thing had the potential to go off the rails.

The plot caught me completely off guard.

I went into it expecting a certain story. Not long into it, I realized I was wrong. And then it became a different story entirely. Which, of course, the non-linear structure of six chapters shown out of order, was intended to do.

By the time we get to the chapter with POV on the old hippie couple in the mountains who think sasquatch stalks their woods, I didn’t trust anyone. Especially not them. Anything was possible.

Great film, beautiful to look at it. Definitely worth a watch.

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