Summary

• Stephen King praises Strange Darling as "a clever masterpiece" that is "too clever to spoil."
• The film has a perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes score and has been praised for its unique techniques and performances.
• It is recommended to go in blind for full impact.

Stephen King shares a positive and cryptic review of an horror movie, Strange Darling, calling it "a clever masterpiece." Written and directed by JT Mollner, known for his debut Outlaws and Angels, the forthcoming horror film follows a twisted one-night stand that spirals into a serial killer's vicious murder spree. Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner lead that cast alongside Giovanni Ribisi, Barbara Hershey, Better Call Saul's Ed Begley Jr., Madisen Beaty, Bianca Santos, and Steven Michael Quezada.

On X, formerly Twitter, Stephen King shared a positive but cryptic review of Strange Darling, calling it "a clever masterpiece" that is "too clever to spoil." Check out his posts below:

In his first post, as seen above, King writes, "I got an advance screener of STRANGE DARLING, and it's really terrific. I'll try to attach the trailer here, because it's also a clever masterpiece. Can't say more; watch the film and you'll understand what the trailer is up to."

In his second post, seen above, King adds, "I wish I could say more about STRANGE DARLING, but it's one of those films that's too clever to spoil, so best to say nothing."

What Strange Darling Reviews Are Saying About The Horror Movie

It Has A Perfect 100% Score On Rotten Tomatoes

King received an advanced screener for Strange Darling, though he isn't the only one who has seen and is praising the horror movie releasing in 2024. Back in September 2023, Strange Darling premiered at the Fantastic Fest, where reviews praised it as a captivating and twisty thriller. Many critics call it a throwback to 1970s crime films with unique narrative techniques, powerful performances, contemporary social commentary, and a blend of gritty aesthetics. Like King, many critics suggest Strange Darling is best experienced with minimal prior knowledge for full impact.

Magenta Light Studios acquired the U.S. distribution rights to Strange Darling and has scheduled it for a theatrical release on August 23.

Because of this unanimously positive critical response, Strange Darling currently holds a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes with 16 reviews, though it could drop as more are published. As seen in the Strange Darling trailer, which King shared in his post, critics are calling it "jaw-dropping," "one of the best surprises of the year," and "the cleverest thriller of its kind" that "defies expectations." Director Mike Flanagan calls the film "sublimely brilliant" and like King, emphasizes that "you must go in blind."

Mollner's feature film debut, the Western Outlaws and Angels, received much praise at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival for his use of Kodak film stock along with vintage Panavision cameras and lenses. Similarly, Strange Darling​​​​​​​ was shot entirely on 35mm film​​​​​​​ with its director of photography, Ribisi, even making a cameo in the movie. King has a vested interest in Mollner's work since he adapted the author's 1979 novel The Long Walk for the film which will be helmed by The Hunger Games director Francis Lawrence.

Source: Stephen King