Written by Watkins Kelly
Many are familiar with the maxim “all press is good press.” Though this expression is clearly an oversimplification, I couldn’t help but hear the echo of these words as I walked into the theater to watch “Don’t Worry Darling.”
A film riddled with backstage drama, it was hard to exist on social media the past few months without seeing a daily update to the laundry list of controversies that surrounded this movie. A complete outline of the events leading up to this film’s release could fill a column by itself, so it may be necessary to do your own research. I personally would recommend starting with the did-Harry-Styles-spit-on-Chris-Pine debacle.
Though the initial response from critics was less than favorable, I must admit that I was still excited to see this movie. Olivia Wilde’s directorial debut “Booksmart” is hilarious, and though “Don’t Worry Darling” finds itself in an entirely different genre, Wilde’s experience in the industry led me to believe the film was in good hands.
The premise of Wilde’s sophomore film is simple: Alice, played by Florence Pugh, is a woman living in an idyllic planned community with her husband, Jack, played by Harry Styles. But strange things happen that make her suspect that all is not well in the community run by Jack’s mysterious employer, who is played by Christ Pine. The principal cast also included Gemma Chan, Nick Kroll and Wilde herself.
With only a supporting role in a cast of A-list actors, Wilde still found herself directly in the spotlight for this film’s failures. But regardless of speculation about whether or not Wilde was fully involved on set, my issues with “Don’t Worry Darling” were not as much in her direction as it was in the writing. The film fell victim to “style over substance,” but not necessarily due to over directing. The story simply did not hold up against the cohesive — and incredibly well done — cinematography and production design.
Working with the material she was given, Pugh delivered a standout performance. On the other hand, though Styles was not overtly bad, it was clear he had the least amount of acting experience out of the cast. Fans of Styles can, however, look forward to a far-too-long dance scene featuring the pop star. Please don’t come for me Harry stans, remember: “Treat People With Kindness.”
Psychological thrillers themselves can be a tough sell. These films often rely on an audience’s trust in the world they are building, and the world of “Don’t Worry Darling” simply did not deliver. When a film is hailed as the “modern-day ‘Truman Show’” or the “next ‘Black Mirror,’” there is an expectation for the writing that “Don’t Worry Darling” promises but fails to deliver.
The genre, however, brings with it an intensity that this movie greatly benefits from. The landscape of the utopian Victory, and Alice’s skepticism regarding the world around her, are complimented perfectly by John Powell’s anxiety-inducing score. The film builds well on this tension, progressing into a final act that fully commands your attention. Sadly, the plot twist is only as good as its follow up, and the resolution left the story and its central characters feeling half-baked.
“Don’t Worry Darling” had a lot to offer. Sadly, the good parts of the film have gotten overshadowed by a host of off-stage controversies. But this movie is simply not all it was hyped up to be. My final thoughts: overpromised, under-delivered.
But I think Harry Styles said it best: “You know, my favorite thing about the movie is it feels like a movie. It feels like a real, you know, go-to-the-theater film movie.”
