Review of Love Lies Bleeding 2024: Kristen Stewart and Katy O’Brian in an Extremely Queer Romantic Noir

Review of Love Lies Bleeding 2024: Kristen Stewart and Katy O’Brian in an Extremely Queer Romantic Noir

Review of Love Lies Bleeding 2024

In the cinematic landscape of the ’90s, the realm of indie film noir was obsessed with recreating the ambiance of ’40s thrillers. Dark shadows, Venetian blinds, and sultry femme fatales became the staple. However, true noir isn’t about looking backward; it’s a relentless march forward into new realms of desire and dread. “Love Lies Bleeding,” the brainchild of Rose Glass, the visionary director behind “Saint Maud” (2019), embodies this ethos. Steeped in a potent sense of style, this film transcends retro clichés, thrusting us into a small desert town in 1989, Nevada.

Lou’s World: A Gritty Mirage

The narrative unfolds at a warehouse gym, where Lou (played by Kristen Stewart) grapples with the daily grind as a manager. Far from a lofty position, her first scene involves unplugging a clogged toilet with a gloved hand, setting the tone for the raw Western sleaze that permeates the film. Stewart, sporting messy hair and exuding desperation, paints Lou with a hungry demeanor, shedding her usual cool facade to reveal a center of charged vulnerability.

Jackie’s Entrance: A Catalyst for Chaos

Lou’s life takes a tumultuous turn with the arrival of Jackie (Katy O’Brian), an unconventional drifter and bodybuilder. Unlike the typical vagabond, Jackie’s brawny physique and alluring grin add layers to her character. A chance encounter at the gym sparks a connection between Lou and Jackie, a union characterized by heat and the promise of something more. The authenticity of their relationship is crystallized when Lou gifts Jackie a case of steroids – a gesture of intimacy that speaks volumes.

Love, Crime, and Unexpected Twists

Film noir typically revolves around compulsive love and the crimes that disrupt it. Lou and Jackie’s dinner with Lou’s sister Beth (Jena Malone) and her husband, JJ (Dave Franco), sets the stage for potential conflict. JJ, a mullet-sporting douche with a penchant for violence, pushes the boundaries, leading to Beth’s hospitalization. While conventional noir might predict a path of crime and cover-ups, “Love Lies Bleeding” introduces its own flamboyantly original scenario.

Beyond Conventions: Hyperbolic Descent

As the plot unfolds, the film morphs from lean and mean to hyperbolic and delirious. Lou’s estranged father, Lou Sr. (Ed Harris), a gangster with a sinister appearance, adds a layer of complexity. The plan to dispose of JJ’s body, involving dumping it into a canyon that serves as Lou Sr.’s hitman graveyard, introduces unforeseen challenges.

Midnight Movie Madness: Review of Love Lies Bleeding 2024

Premiering at Sundance in the Midnight section, “Love Lies Bleeding” embraces ultra-violence and gonzo twists, earning its place as a midnight movie. Despite the apparent departure from noir roots, the film maintains a cohesive vision. The central focus on Jackie’s transformation, both physically and mentally, adds a metaphorical layer. As she competes in a hallucinatory bodybuilding competition in Vegas, the film becomes a celebration of a new kind of woman in 1989 – one who wears her strength outwardly.

Wild, Garish, and Fiercely Controlled

“Love Lies Bleeding” consciously revels in wild and garish elements, seemingly losing control. Yet, beneath the surface chaos, Rose Glass remains fiercely in control. The film lands where it should, navigating extremes to explore the evolving dynamics of feminine power. “Love Lies Bleeding” is a midnight noir that surpasses expectations, a cinematic journey where even valiant individuals are compelled to embrace extremes.