July 19, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Film Review: Strange Darling

J.T. Mollner’s film Strange Darling is not what it seems. While it is, on the surface, a “cat and mouse” thriller, it is also a not unsympathetic portrait of psychosis and severe mental illness. The film stars Willa Fitzgerald, Kyle Gallner, Barbara Hershey, and Ed Begley Jr and was written and directed by J.T. Mollner, the writer for the long-awaited adaptation of Stephen King’s pseudonymously written novel The Long Walk and director of Angels and Outlaws. One very interesting part of his life is that for three months each year, during the Halloween season, Mollner takes time off to help his family run the well-known haunt, The Freakling Brothers, in Las Vegas. It was shot by the director of photography and respected actor Giovanni Ribisi.

The film is being screened at the Alamo Drafthouse and AMC Theaters but has a weeklong run at The Vista Theater in Hollywood and is being shown with a newly struck 35mm print and the Vista’s great sound system. I recommend making the trip to The Vista, a great theater to watch such a wonder of cinematography. You can purchase tickets at The Vista here

The film is a fractured narrative divided into six chapters and an epilogue. It is set up from the beginning as a true crime story. It also starts with the onscreen notice that the film was shot with 35mm film stock, and its brilliant hues attest to this. Visually, the film is a feast for the eyes of bright primary colors that is shot expertly and with great care. During a Q&A at Kodak House on August 15, Mollner and Ribisi discussed the decisions that they creatively made to make the film as beautiful as possible, and every inch of the film shows the work they put into it, with film from Kodak and special lenses. 

In the spirit of not spoiling the film, I will discuss it as much as possible without revealing the twists and turns. The film is not overly downbeat despite the story of a mentally ill serial killer whose psychosis has convinced them that demons are real. It is quite funny at many points of the narrative, either due to the ridiculousness of the situation that the characters find themselves in or just the quirks of the characters themselves. 

Barbara Hershey, who is absolutely luminous, and Ed Begley Jr. play a lovely if paranoid couple to whom one of the characters goes for help. Their curious Sunday breakfast ritual shows that not everyone in the world is as normal as they think they are. 

Willa Fitzgerald’s The Lady is a character somewhat similar to Hunter Shafer’s Gretchen in Cuckoo. She is a woman of seeming fragility who is much stronger than she looks. She has a vulnerability that is her strongest asset in the film. Kyle Gallner is perfect as the somewhat confused man who gives off vibes of both likeability and an offputting undertone. Can you trust him? You’re never quite sure; that is the excellence of Gallner’s work.  

The film also talks about the leap of trust women must take to open up to men. Women can never be sure if they are safe, especially when they are intimate with a partner, which is also one of the times when a woman is most vulnerable. 

I watched the film twice and sank deeper into the narrative on the second watch. It’s a film that benefits from a second watch and one you must pay attention to. There is action, gunplay, and gore, but the core of the film rests in the psychology of the characters. If you don’t want to read any deeper than the surface, it is still very entertaining to watch. But when you realize its secret, it sinks deeper into you. It shows, through the actions of the serial killer, that someone who is psychotic does not recognize that they are insane. It never says what the character’s problem is, but I suspect it might be schizophrenia. 

While watching the character, you see the reality of the other characters juxtaposed with their frightening and irrational actions. From the intellectual standpoint, we have had it explained that a person with mental illness does not understand what they are doing is counter to the reality of everyone else, but Strange Darling shows a moment when a mentally ill person realizes that they are the problem. It’s very instructive and heartbreaking. 

Strange Darling is filled with shocks, surprises, humor, and a deep understanding and sympathy for humanity, including the human that would usually be considered the villain. It is a beautiful and ethereal ode to humanity and the roots of human evil.

Related Posts

Man Arrested in Brentwood for Impersonating Firefighter During Palisades Fire

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The suspect faces at least 28 criminal counts—including 23 felonies—spanning incidents from 2023 to May 2025 Federal and local law...

Study Highlights Economic Impact of Cap-and-Trade Extension in Los Angeles

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing to reauthorize the program this year, citing its role in generating 287,000...

Nearly $1B Secured for Refinancing of Westfield Century City Mall

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The proceeds will replace a $925 million commercial mortgage-backed securities loan, originally issued by Morgan Stanley in 2023 and due...

West Coast Premiere of ‘The Opposite of Love’ Opens at Hudson Backstage Theatre

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

Produced by Neil Gooding Productions, behind shows like Back to the Future: The Musical, the play runs Thursdays through Saturdays...

Tesla Seen Nearly Crashing into West LA Home After Collision

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

Footage depicted a blue Prius on the road with significant front-end damage A crash involving injuries was reported around 12:30...

DUI Checkpoints to be Conducted Across LA This Weekend

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The LAPD selects checkpoint sites based on data indicating high incidents of impaired driving-related crashes and arrests The Los Angeles...

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...

(Video) Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The outpost is a first for the popular influencer Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?...

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

Hundreds of Red-Legged Frog Tadpoles Released in Santa Monica Mountains

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

Once widespread in California, red-legged frogs vanished from the Santa Monica Mountains by the 1970s Nearly 600 California red-legged frog...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

Westwood Village Board to Discuss Public Art Initiative

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The initiative aims to enhance community pride, boost local business revenue, and address urban blight through public art corridors and...

Beverly Hills Plans Major Apartment Development Near Civic Center

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The site, currently holding 13 residential units, is slated for demolition to make way for the new development A proposal...

Federal Judge Sides with Santa Monica, Other Local Governments Against Immigration Raids

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete praised the ruling, saying it reaffirmed the city’s commitment to protecting residents from unjust detention...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...