Let 'Strange Darling' mess with your head. It's one of the year's best movies

I love movies like JT Mollner’s “Strange Darling” — clever, well-crafted thrillers that keep you guessing and mess with your mind.

So much so that that’s about all you can say about it. I don’t want to give too much away and ruin the joy — if “joy” is a word you can use for a serial killer movie that is twisted from the start and often brutal. Truly, this is one of those times I want everyone to run out and see it, then come back and talk about it endlessly.

In other words, if it’s not quite a great movie, it is a great beers-in-the-backyard movie, something to discuss in-depth late into the night, and yes, I will have another round, thanks.

What is 'Strange Darling' about?

I can tell you this: In addition to Mollner’s splashy sleaze-noir direction, “Strange Darling” boasts two standout performances from Willa Fitzgerald as The Lady and Kyle Gallner as The Demon. (Don’t let the character-name affectations bother you.) Moreover, Mollner brought in a ringer of sorts — Giovanni Ribisi, as cinematographer- who turns out to be as inventive in shooting films as he is in acting in them. His work is outstanding.

Mollner breaks the story into six chapters, and tells it out of order. Like all of the choices he makes, there is a method to it. The film begins with a crawl that says what we’re about to see is based on a true story, taken from real accounts of the last known exploits of a serial killer who terrorized the northwest. Umm, not really. But it serves its purpose, including setting the mood.

Cut to The Lady in a car with The Demon in front of a no-tell motel, asking a crucial question: Are you a serial killer? It’s one of two crucial questions she will ask. Also, does he know what kind of absurd risks women have to take just to have a good time?

Mollner gives us answers in due time. Of course, not all is what it seems, and not just in the overall arc of the story. Both parties agree this is a one-night stand, nothing more, but The Lady, it turns out, is also into role play. Safe words are discussed, boundaries set — but before they even get to the hotel room, we see The Lady running across a field, bloody, wearing red scrubs, The Demon in pursuit. There’s a car chase no less tense for being a little goofy (any chase involving a Ford Pinto can’t help but be).

And so it goes, back and forth across timelines. Ed Begley Jr. and Barbara Hershey show up as aging hippies (well, Begley’s character corrects, he’s more of an aging biker) who become involved in the sordid tale.

Willa Fitzgerald is outstanding in 'Strange Darling'

An aside: Begley’s character makes the most disgusting breakfast seen on film in a long time. There’s nothing gross about it. It has nothing to do with the serial killer aspect of the film. It’s more the amount of butter and syrup, and whipped cream involved. If the violence in the film doesn’t get to you, this might.

Yes, as that implies, there is some humor. Gallner underplays some big moments, not for laughs, but he still elicits a smile. He’s awfully good, his face betraying nothing other than an invitation to wonder what’s going on in his head.

Fitzgerald is even better. The best thing about the first season of “Reacher,” here, she holds nothing back in a performance that is surprising, gritty and wholly enjoyable. Her commitment to the role is impressive. Put her in something big. Put her in anything. If she can do this, she can do that, whatever “that” might be.

There are a couple of head-scratching moments, poor decisions, a little required suspension of disbelief. Then again, without those elements, movies like this wouldn’t exist.

It’s worth the quibbles. “Strange Darling” is an original, well worth seeing — and then talking about.

Prime Video's 'Reacher': Mediocre TV, except for Willa Fitzgerald

'Strange Darling' 4.5 stars

Great ★★★★★ Good ★★★★

Fair ★★★ Bad ★★ Bomb ★

Director: JT Mollner.

Cast: Willa Fitzgerald, Kyle Gallner, Barbara Hershey.

Rating: R for strong/bloody violent content, sexual material, drug use and language.

How to watch: In theaters Friday, Aug. 23.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 'Strange Darling' review: Best movie of 2024 (so far) is a mind-bender