As "Love Lies Bleeding" (2024 release; 104 min) opens, we are introduced to Lou, who manages a gym. Visiting the gym is Jackie, who is making her way to a bodybuilding competition in Vegas. Lou and Jackie immediately click and hit it off. In a parallel story, we get to know Lou's sister Beth, who is married to J. J., an up to no good loser. At this point we are 10 minutes into the movie.
Couple of comments: this is the second film by up-and-coming British director Rose Glass ("Saint Maud"). Here she dives head-on into a crime drama the likes if which you have not seen much before. The movie is super plot-heavy so the less said about that, the better. I will comment that the movie benefits tremendously from the strong lead performances by Kirsten Stewart (as Lou) and Katie O'Brian (as Jackie). Stewart couldn't be further away from the Twilight movies, and couldn't be happier. Ed Harris has a smaller but still juicy part as Lou's father. But in the end the credit for this film must go to Rose Glass, who brings us something off-kilter, but with great result.
"Love Lies Bleeding" premiered at this year's Sundance film festival, to immediate critical acclaim. There is good reason why this movie is currently rated 92% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. The Sunday matinee screening where I saw this at today was not attended well. Exactly 1 other person besides myself (a "half private" screening). If you are in the mood for an off-kilter crime drama with strong lead performances, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.
Couple of comments: this is the second film by up-and-coming British director Rose Glass ("Saint Maud"). Here she dives head-on into a crime drama the likes if which you have not seen much before. The movie is super plot-heavy so the less said about that, the better. I will comment that the movie benefits tremendously from the strong lead performances by Kirsten Stewart (as Lou) and Katie O'Brian (as Jackie). Stewart couldn't be further away from the Twilight movies, and couldn't be happier. Ed Harris has a smaller but still juicy part as Lou's father. But in the end the credit for this film must go to Rose Glass, who brings us something off-kilter, but with great result.
"Love Lies Bleeding" premiered at this year's Sundance film festival, to immediate critical acclaim. There is good reason why this movie is currently rated 92% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. The Sunday matinee screening where I saw this at today was not attended well. Exactly 1 other person besides myself (a "half private" screening). If you are in the mood for an off-kilter crime drama with strong lead performances, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.