Based on the first novel he ever wrote (though it wasn’t released until 1979), dystopian horror tale The Long Walk arrives in theaters September 12th. Francis Lawrence (maker of I Am Legend and every Hunger Games flick except the first one) is behind the camera with JT Mollner (writer/director of last year’s critical favorite Strange Darling) scripting. The cast includes Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Garrett Wareing, Tut Nyuot, Charlie Plummer, Ben Wang, Roman Griffin Davis, Jordan Gonzalez, Josh Hamilton, and Mark Hamill (in his second 2025 King adaptation after The Life of Chuck).
In a year where horror is receiving acclaim that the Academy could notice, Walk is generating high praise. Rotten Tomatoes is at 92% with 80 on Metacritic. Seen as an unadaptable novel (which explains how long it took to arrive on the big screen), critics are saying Lawrence/Mollner pull it off.
Unlike Sinners and Weapons, this is not anticipated to be a major box office juggernaut. With Sinners seemingly poised for Academy love and Weapons contending in Supporting Actress and Original Screenplay (if we’re being generous), Walk is unlikely to generate its own awards chatter. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…
Comparisons to Quentin Tarantino are inevitable after viewing JT Mollner’s alternately sun drenched and dingy chase flick Strange Darling. The narrative time shifts and sudden explosive instances of violence are unquestionably reminiscent of that filmmaker. So are the quick and quirky interludes that interrupt them. It is shot (in stunning 35 mm by Giovanni Ribisi!) in a grindhouse fashion that Tarantino adores considering he made a 2007 homage to that genre. Keeping it solely on the QT, however, doesn’t give Darling its flowers. This is a striking achievement on its own much like QT’s works elevate beyond their inspirations.
A matter-of-fact narration from Jason Patric informs us that what we are about to see documents the last crimes of a serial killer. Our witnessing of such acts transpires over six chapters and not in sequential order. It does begin with a planned one night stand at a drab inn between The Lady (Willa Fitzgerald) and The Demon (Kyle Gallner). Over cigarettes and liquor and perhaps stronger substances, that initial patter is interrupted with visions of what’s to come. It involves more rustic settings and tension beyond “will they or won’t they” when parked at the motel lot.
Now is an opportune time to reveal that I can’t reveal much of what comes next. Everything after chapter 1 veers off in directions best left discovered outside of this post. I will say that Strange‘s twists are genuinely unexpected curveballs and happen with frequence. They are anchored by a great score (from Craig DeLeon), the aforementioned Ribisi shooting, and two terrific performances from Fitzgerald and Gallner.
Gender dynamics are a heavy theme as the nameless courtship of its leads is splayed out. Their relationship status complicates our preconceived notions of how these nights and mornings usually end. Fitzgerald might have the more challenging role, but Gallner is also called upon to react to ever changing scenarios involving shifting emotions. They both make us believe this light and dark world they’re inhabiting and Fitzgerald gets a lengthy one-take that is to die for.
I mentioned the quick and quirky interludes earlier. There’s no better example than a hippie couple played by Barbara Hershey and Ed Begley Jr. that become part of the demented date. Right before they join this cat and mouse game, they are far more concerned with concocting a comically gigantic breakfast. The plot gets in their way of consuming it. In Strange Darling, we get to dig in and it’s savagely delicious.
Serial killer thriller Strange Darling arrives in theaters this weekend from writer/director JT Mollner. Some of the best reviews of the year come with it. Willa Fitzgerald (from MTV’s version of Scream), Kyle Gallner, Barbara Hershey, and Ed Begley, Jr. are among the cast of the acclaimed pic that was first seen nearly a year ago at Fantastic Fest.
Sporting a 98% RT rating, many critics are saying to enter Strange as blind as possible. Particular raves are devoted to Fitzgerald and the screenplay. This is not, however, a genre that awards voters usually honor. Don’t be surprised if Darling pops up on some top 10 lists in a few months. Seeing it in the Oscar mix? That would be strange. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…
All My Life... I Wanted To Be A Blogster 