Miss Flicks

Don’t Worry Darling: Film Review

The headlines surrounding Olivia Wilde‘s sophomore film, Don’t Worry Darling, have overshadowed the movie itself. After weeks of rumours of on-set feuds and more, it’s finally time to see if the psychological thriller stands up against the noise.

The film tells the story of Alice and Jack (Florence Pugh and Harry Styles), a happily married couple living in 1950s Palm Springs in a purpose-built company town called Victory. Every day, the men go off to work for Frank (Chris Pine) and his mysterious Victory Project while their wives stay at home and cook, clean, look after the kids and get themselves ready for the evening’s latest party. Alice begins to wonder what happens at Victory headquarters and questions their existence in the town – is she losing her mind or is something really going on?

The reviews of Don’t Worry Darling out of Venice were very mixed and I’ve landed in the positive camp (many others haven’t). I thought it was good but fell short of being great – possibly because it was a little too slow and failed to give enough explanation following the big reveal. I don’t like coming away from a film with too many unanswered questions and I had plenty coming out of this. A film doesn’t need to spell out everything but I would have felt more satisfied with the ending if I had a better understanding of it all.

Wilde has created a beautiful, idyllic paradise in Victory but it’s obvious that there is something dark lurking underneath the shiny, happy surface – no place can be that perfect! She eventually turns up the eerie, unsettling atmosphere in Victory as Alice goes further and further down the rabbit hole and I was invested and intrigued by her discoveries.

The movie is also beautiful to look at. The cinematography is stunning as well as the production design, hair, costume and make-up and the soundtrack is filled with recognisable ’50s classics. I have read some “style over substance” criticisms and I think that’s unfair. The film is very stylish but there is plenty of meat on its bones too – I just wish the pacing was a bit faster and the third act packed more of a punch.

Pugh is one of the most in-demand actresses around right now and it is clear to see why. She is sensational as Alice. You are there with her every step of the way. Her emotional range is impressive and she also nails it on the action front. Styles doesn’t fare well in comparison. His acting is fine; it’s really not bad at all. But he cannot access his deep emotions or deliver that raw vulnerability like she does and that is very obvious when they share scenes. She makes it look so easy and so it seems like he’s trying too hard.

Pine is the spookily sinister yet charming cult leader-style character Frank and Gemma Chan plays his pristine and enigmatic wife Shelley. But the biggest scene-stealer in the supporting cast is Wilde herself as Bunny, Alice’s neighbour and confidante. She is fun, fabulous and hilarious.

Don’t Worry Darling is an intriguing thriller with a terrific lead performance from Pugh.

In cinemas from Friday 23rd September