Don’t Worry Darling (2022)
Directed by:
Olivia Wilde
Written by:
Katie Silberman, Carey Van Dyke, and Shane Van Dyke.
Production by New Line Cinema and Vertigo Entertainment
Runtime: 2 hour 3 minutes
Released on September 23, 2022 (United States)
Starring
Florence Pugh
Harry Styles
Olivia Wilde
Gemma Chan
KiKi Layne
Chris Pine
Nick Kroll
and more…
I participate in the DC Comics Forums when I am able and they sometimes host watch-alongs of various films. “Don’t Worry Darling” was one of those films that someone else selected. Sometimes it is nice though to step out of our comfort zone, as this film was so marred in conflict that I had avoided it. I avoid things that seem to be too controversial as I want a peaceful life. This film showed me that I shouldn’t do this. I should listen to my own feelings.
This was a crazy little movie with so much symbolism that it almost felt like an overdose at times. It was a weird romp into the minds of someone that watched too much “The Stepford Wives” and anything related to it. It took it to the next level though. I mean NEXT NEXT level. The visuals alone make this a fascinating movie and one that people should actually watch. The film got so overran with controversy that the end product was avoided by a lot of people, including myself. The reality is this film on its own merit is fascinating, well-acted, and has a clever plot as well.
Florence Pugh is the main focus of the film with most scenes being interactions coming off of her character. She plays well off of the other actors, especially given that the controversy that she was having issues with Olivia WIlde who she play off of in several scenes. To me, even if there were these issues, they appear on screen as professionals playing their role. Behind the scenes stuff does not matter at the end of the day in film, as long as you can convey what you need on the screen to me. Every single actor does this. The one that I was probably the most surprised about being able to do this was Harry Styles. Yes, THAT Harry Styles. ONE DIRECTION IS IN THE HOUSE! Okay, he did the damn thing. I was shocked how well he played his part in multiple levels of the story. I thought he would be a flat actor, but he was able to play several key moments with more emotions than I thought he would be able to convey on the camera.
Symbolism is very key in this film. It has a lot of important representations throughout the film. Yes, at times it is going to feel like parts of this story have been told in other places, like “The Stepford Wives” but the reveals still feel like they are next level. It still results in a satisfying story. Film is to be watched for entertainment. Not always criticized and torn down. I feel like “Don’t Worry Darling” received a lot of unfair criticism that tore it down from being the fun ride that it turns out being if you take the time to watch it on face value. It has twists, turns, weirdness, and so many things that make it just an enjoyable watch. That is my marker for a film I would tell others to watch at least once, so I definitely recommend watching this at some point.
Olivia Wilde has been the director on several films to this point in her career, including the film “Booksmart”. I watched this film years ago, but I think I should watch it again and say how I feel about it now that I have also seen another of her films. I wonder if they are all this good.
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