Strange Darlingis a slick, stylish thriller that follows a protagonist simply referred to as “The Woman” after a twisted one-night stand turns her life upside down, and she stumbles headfirst into a murderer’s bloodthirsty killing spree.It’s a fascinatingly gritty but surprisingly light filmthat uses horror tropes to create a story that’s constantly subverting expectations — and it drags the audience along for the ride whether they like it or not. Most notably,Strange Darlinghas a unique non-linear structurethat keeps the audience guessing about the story’s chronology.
The ending ofStrange Darlingis an extremely memorable one, bringing together all corners of the narrative for a killer twist that even the most keen-eyed viewers would struggle to guess. While the film’s ambition can often get ahead of itself,and the writing is a little on-the-nose,Strange Darlingstill deserves recognition for its bold storytelling and huge narrative swings.It’s clearly inspired by plenty of other horror movies and even more lighthearted films that don’t fit neatly into the genre. However, it’s overwhelmingly original all the same.
Chloe Okuno’sWatcheris a tense psychological thriller that follows Julia, a woman who relocates to Bucharest with her husband, only to feel that a mysterious figure is constantly watching her. As paranoia sets in, she begins to suspect that she may be the target of a local serial killer.Watcherthrives on suspense and slow-building dread, leading to a nerve-wracking climax. Maika Monroe’s gripping performance as Julia adds to the unsettling atmosphere, makingWatchera standout modern psychological horror.
Much likeStrange Darling,Watcheris a movie that thrives on isolation, unease, and the dangers lurking just beneath the surface of everyday life. Both movies feature a female protagonist forced to navigate a chilling cat-and-mouse game, unsure of who to trust.Fans ofStrange Darlingwill appreciateWatcher’seerie tension, psychological depth, and the ever-present sense of dread that lingers throughout the film.
Directed by James Watkins, 2024’sSpeak No Evilis a psychological thriller that follows Louise (Mackenzie Davis) and Ben (Scoot McNairy) - a couple who, after a seemingly innocent encounter, find themselves entangled in a web of deceit and terror.Speak No Evilmasterfully builds tension, leading to a chilling climax that leaves audiences questioning the nature of evil. The entire movie is nailbiting from start to finish, thoughthe ending ofSpeak No Evilis especially brutal (and, from both a narrative and gore perspective, shocking).
Much likeStrange Darling,Speak No Evilexplores the dark undercurrents that can exist beneath ordinary interactions, keeping viewers on edge as the story unfolds.Fans ofStrange Darlingwill appreciate the slow-burning suspense and the exploration of human vulnerabilities inSpeak No Evil,and the performance of James McAvoy as Paddy is also a notable highlight.
Oddity, directed by Damian McCarthy, is a unique horror movie that centers on a blind psychic named Darcy and her unsettling relationship with a wooden mannequin. Set in an eerie country house in Ireland, the narrative ofOddityweaves elements of ghost stories, psychological tension, and whodunnit mysteries, seamlessly blending multiple subgenres to create a viewing experience greater than the sum of its parts.
The 2024 movie’s atmospheric storytelling and Carolyn Bracken’s compelling performance as Darcy have garnered critical acclaim, though this isn’t the key reason it will appeal to fans ofStrange Darling.Similar toStrange Darling,Odditydelves into the complexities of the human psyche, blurring the lines between reality and the supernatural.Its approach to building slow-burn dread and haunting visuals make it a captivating watch for those who appreciated the enigmatic nature ofStrange Darling.
Directed by Andrew Haigh, 2023’sAll of Us Strangersis a romantic fantasy movie that tells the story of Adam (Andrew Scott), a reclusive screenwriter who develops an intimate relationship with his mysterious neighbor, Harry (played by Paul Mescal) while revisiting memories from the past. The film received critical acclaim for several reasons, such as its exploration of LGBTQ+ relationships in a supernatural setting, and was named one of the top ten independent films of 2023 by the National Board of Review.
Fans ofStrange Darlingwill find parallels between the deeper themes of the two movies, especially withinAll of Us Strangers’exploration of complex relationships and the haunting nature of past trauma and experiences.What’s more,All of Us Strangers’unique blend of reality and fantasy, coupled with strong performances, offers a thought-provoking experience akin to the enigmatic storytelling found inStrange Darling.
Are We Not Cats, directed by Xander Robin, is a unique horror romance with plenty to offer fans ofStrange Darling.The plot follows Eli (Michael Patrick Nicholson) and Anya (Chelsea Lopez), two strangers who bond over their compulsive behaviors - namely, Eli’s need to pick his skin, and Anya’s uncontrollable pulling out of their own hair. While this seems like it could be a meet-cute for a romcom, the fact thatAre We Not Catsis a movie likeStrange Darlingshould clue potential viewers into Eli and Anya settling into a bizarre and unsettling relationship rather than a happily-ever-after.
The unique narrative ofAre We Not Catsand the film’s exploration of unconventional themes have earned it plenty of recognition, and it’s on track to be considered a cult classic in decades to come.Much likeStrange Darling,Are We Not Catsdelves into the darker aspects of human connections, presenting a story that is both disturbing and oddly captivating. Its exploration of unusual obsessions and the complexities of love will intrigue fans ofStrange Darling,even if the two movies are somewhat different in tone.
Halloween
Cast
Halloween is a horror film released in 1978 that centers on the fictional town of Haddonfield, Illinois, as a masked serial killer terrorizes it. Over a decade after the brutal murder of Judith Myers by her brother, Michael, Michael escapes from the local Sanitarium to continue his silent killing spree- with teenage Laurie Strode being his new potential victim.
John Carpenter’s originalHalloweenis one of the most obvious sources of inspiration forStrange Darling.While the details of the stories are completely different, the general premise of a powerful young woman fighting against a dangerous killer is something that was essentially mastered in the 1978 horror classic. The way thatStrange Darlinguses high tension and atmospheric filmmakingto keep the audience on the edge of their seats is something Carpenter was an expert at, and the two films have these trademarks in common.
Is the twist in Strange Darling predictable?
Strange Darling is taking the world by storm with incredible reviews from both critics and audiences. This indie horror movie is being praised for its uniqueness and twist reveal that seems to come out of nowhere. Having seen this movie multiple times, I can confidently say that I do not think it is predictable at all. In an effort to remain spoiler free, I will simply say that due to the fact that the film does not play out in order, but rather jumps around in time, it keeps things pretty under wraps - so that audiences will have to pick their jaws up off the floor once all is revealed.
It’s hard to think of a single horror movie that isn’t inspired byHalloween, but J.T. Mollner’sStrange Darlingwears its homages to Carpenter’s work as a badge of honor. From the eerie music to the fierce performances, the two projects have much in common. Needless to say,Halloweenis a must-watch for anybody who finds themselves captivated byStrange Darling.
Promising Young Woman
Starring Carey Mulligan, Promising Young Woman follows Cassie, a college dropout intent on getting revenge for the unprosecuted rape of her deceased best friend, Nina. As she becomes deeper involved in tormenting those she sees as complicit in Nina’s rape and subsequent suicide, Cassie begins to travel down a more dangerous path than she realizes. Bo Burnham, Alison Brie, Jennifer Coolidge, Laverne Cox, and Connie Britton also star.
AlthoughPromising Young Womanisn’t strictly a horror movie, Emerald Fennell’s story deals with countless topical and frightening themes — but it presents them in a bubble-wrapped story about love and romance. It’s stylistically very different fromStrange Darlingbut thematically similar.Both films are about female empowerment and the predatory behavior that women often face from men, even if they explore these ideas very differently.
Both films have strong female leadsthat carry the story forward and are used as a vehicle for social commentary. Willa Fitzgerald’s performance inStrange Darlingmay not win the awards that Carey Mulligan’s did inPromising Young Woman, but it’s still incredibly strong and makes the film work on a fundamental level.
Trick ‘r Treat
Trick ‘r Treat, directed by Michael Dougherty, is a horror anthology film featuring four interwoven stories set on Halloween night. The narratives explore a high school principal’s hidden life as a serial killer, a college student’s romantic encounter, a teenagers’ prank, and a reclusive old man’s unexpected visitor.
WhileTrick ‘r Treatis more of an all-out comedy at points, the film has a similar aesthetic style toStrange Darling,and it displays a similar method of storytelling that isn’t common in the horror genre. The narrative follows an ensemble group of characters whose lives intersect on a fateful Halloween night as they’re haunted by the same dark troubles and challenges. And althoughTrick ‘r Treatoften adopts a stylish flair, it deals with some very mature and disturbing themes.
These are two horror movies that don’t always make their true horrors obvious, but that somehow makes them even more effective.
Strange Darlingis similar in itsoutwardly bright and pulpy aesthetic, which is a total contrast to the frightening and gruesome truth of the story that’s hidden beneath the surface. These are two horror movies that don’t always make their true horrors obvious, but that somehow makes them even more effective.Trick ‘r Treat 2has also been confirmed, so now is the perfect time to revisit the original.
The Strangers
The first film in the horror series, The Strangers, follows an unsuspecting couple on vacation who find themselves at the mercy of a group of murderers who seek to physically and psychologically torture them. After a series of unfortunate events that lead the couple to commit an accidental crime, they find themselves fighting for survival against three masked intruders that chose to attack them “because they were home.”
The Strangersis a formative entry in the home invasion subgenre. It’s about as frightening as these stories can get, taking the universal fear of danger lurking in the shadows of our homes, then infusing as much terror into the concept as possible. The entire story takes place over one night, with a newlywed couple finding themselves the victims of a targeted home invasion by a group of masked killers.It’s very simple and much more linear thanStrange Darling, but it’s terrifying all the same.
The Strangersstrikes fear in the audience in a very similar way toStrange Darling: by toying with the innate horror of being watched, chased, and hunted.It’s a natural fear that we’ve developed as humans,and both movies know exactly how to take advantage of it. Like Mollner’s film,The Strangersis also inspired by true storiesto give it an extra layer of terrifying authenticity.
Till Death
Till Death is a 2021 thriller featuring a woman who, after being handcuffed to her deceased husband at a remote lake house, struggles to survive against mercenaries amidst harsh winter conditions while unraveling her late husband’s sinister scheme.
Megan Fox’sTill Deathwent somewhat under the radar when it was released in 2021, but the film actually deserves a lot more attention. It follows a woman named Emma who wakes up handcuffed to her dead husband. She has no way of separating herself from his body, which becomes a problem when two assassins turn up to finish the job.It’s a very tight and suspenseful thrillerthat barely runs for 90 minutes. However, it uses every scene effectively to build tension and horror.
Just likeStrange Darling,Till Deathis propelled by its powerful lead performance and the unspoken tension between Fox’s character and those looking to bring her down. It’s a very clever cat-and-mouse game with some intelligent plot devices and thrilling set pieces that make it anon-stop adrenaline rush from start to finish.
