Love Lies Bleeding

Screened at Regal Cinemas 9, Palm Springs, California.

I think what I really enjoyed about this was, as an A24 film, it of course not just continued the recent trend of their releases "looking like an A24 film," but a lot of the heavy-handedness (for lack of a better term) that also defines their films is mostly absent here. While overall I would classify this as a thriller, there is drama present. But this film, despite the violence and some of its grim qualities, is simply grand fun, a popcorn movie for the arthouse crowd. There's no walking out of the theater feeling like there is something deeper there you need to figure out, or digest. Instead, it's just a good time overall, with the aesthetic of an A24 film along with a stellar and fitting soundtrack.

Kristen Stewart continues here with her under-the-radar acting chops, forging a very believable relationship with the new bodybuilder to have moved into town, portrayed by Katy O'Brian whose truly solid screen presence adds much to the film, if not the real anchor. Ed Harris is also excellent as Stewart's father, though not as genuinely scary a figure as I think he was trying to get across. Effective nonetheless; this is Ed Harris we're talking about, one of the best in the business.

In summation, is this a great film? No. But it's very entertaining, with great performances, a solid look, a fitting and memorable soundtrack, a WILD ending, and overall another good effort from Rose Glass, whose last film, the horror 'Saint Maud,' put her on the radar as one to watch, and she's done nothing here to take that away. Let's see what she comes up with next. Strongly recommended.