A stylistic tour de force from director Olivia Wilde, Don’t Worry Darling is a high-concept thriller that mesmerises with technicolour photography and peerless Fifties production design.
Palm Springs doubles for the experimental desert community of Victory.
Alice (Florence Pugh) and Jack (Harry Styles) are the latest residents. Like the other men in town, optimistic Jack works for the mysterious Victory Project, whose CEO is the svengali-like Frank (Chris Pine); while the men commute in pastel befinned automobiles, their manicured wives sup cocktails on manicured lawns.
No one knows what’s going on inside the Victory Project. We’re told only that it’s something to do with the “development of progressive materials.” Anyone care for a Manhattan?
On the surface, this utopian lifestyle has everything going for it – until Alice gradually realises that all is not as it seems.
Cocktail time!
Visually, the movie is a treat. Oscar nominated cinematographer Matthew Libatique, known for his work with Darren Aronofsky on films like Pi and Black Swan, artfully frames this suburban fantasy, making full use of the period architecture and sun bleached surroundings.
The result is gloriously cinematic, and well worth seeing on a premium screen.
There’s barely a frame which doesn’t feature Florence Pugh, and she propels the drama with effortless ease. Co-star Styles exhibits frantic charisma, while Chris Pine delivers a particularly oily turn.
Production design is a celebration of all things retro
Food is a recurring visual motif (so much frying!), and the production design, by Katie Byron, a comparable feast. The stylised decor in Alice and Jack’s condo, replete with designer furnishings and period appliances, will have you hankering to turn back the clock.
Their home is just one of a variety of standout locations certain to delight aesthetes: the Doll House nightclub, the Volcano House, (Chris Pine’s) Kaufmann house being others.
Don’t Worry Darling makes great use of its desert locations
There’s more conspicuous fashion on display here than in any recent genre outing, Arianne Phillips costume design evangelising the glamorous post war housewife aesthetic.
Phillips apparently made Florence’s dresses and Harry’s suits from vintage fabric, in addition to sourcing authentic period clothing. Everyday in Victory is a fashion show. We approve.
Florence and Harry – not the perfect romance
The movie is Wilde’s second outing as a director, after the critically lauded Booksmart. Wilde also plays Bunny, a neighbouring housewife who seems happy with her (p)lot.
And then there’s the soundtrack, which has so many great needle drops from the likes of Ray Charles, Benny Goodman, and the Platters, all interwoven with a dark, ominous original score by John Powell.
The perfect soundtrack to a disturbing cocktail party.
Don’t miss it darling.
Don’t Worry Darling is directed by Olivia Wilde, and stars Florence Pugh, Harry Styles, Gemma Chan, KiKi Layne and Chris Pine. Rated 15, 122 mins.
Ever wished you could go back to 1986 and see Freddie Mercury command a stadium in his absolute prime? London is about to offer the next best thing. On Saturday 3 October, Camden’s Roundhouse will transform into a giant Queen gig for Queen Budapest: The Concert Film Experience, an immersive screening of the band’s legendary…
Tom Cruise took a trip through more than four decades of Hollywood history at BAFTA this week, sharing stories from some of his most famous films and revealing what makes him want to keep making movies. Cruise was in London for the premiere of his new film Digger, when he joined BAFTA for an extended…
Apple has confirmed a streaming date for its live‑action Matchbox movie starring John Cena, expanding its growing action‑comedy slate. Inspired by Mattel’s miniature die-cast cars, Matchbox The Movie follows a group of lifelong friends whose quiet lives are disrupted when their former leader, now undercover CIA agent Sean, returns home and drags them into an…
A stylistic tour de force from director Olivia Wilde, Don’t Worry Darling is a high-concept thriller that mesmerises with technicolour photography and peerless Fifties production design.
Palm Springs doubles for the experimental desert community of Victory.
Alice (Florence Pugh) and Jack (Harry Styles) are the latest residents. Like the other men in town, optimistic Jack works for the mysterious Victory Project, whose CEO is the svengali-like Frank (Chris Pine); while the men commute in pastel befinned automobiles, their manicured wives sup cocktails on manicured lawns.
No one knows what’s going on inside the Victory Project. We’re told only that it’s something to do with the “development of progressive materials.” Anyone care for a Manhattan?
On the surface, this utopian lifestyle has everything going for it – until Alice gradually realises that all is not as it seems.
Visually, the movie is a treat. Oscar nominated cinematographer Matthew Libatique, known for his work with Darren Aronofsky on films like Pi and Black Swan, artfully frames this suburban fantasy, making full use of the period architecture and sun bleached surroundings.
The result is gloriously cinematic, and well worth seeing on a premium screen.
There’s barely a frame which doesn’t feature Florence Pugh, and she propels the drama with effortless ease. Co-star Styles exhibits frantic charisma, while Chris Pine delivers a particularly oily turn.
Food is a recurring visual motif (so much frying!), and the production design, by Katie Byron, a comparable feast. The stylised decor in Alice and Jack’s condo, replete with designer furnishings and period appliances, will have you hankering to turn back the clock.
Their home is just one of a variety of standout locations certain to delight aesthetes: the Doll House nightclub, the Volcano House, (Chris Pine’s) Kaufmann house being others.
There’s more conspicuous fashion on display here than in any recent genre outing, Arianne Phillips costume design evangelising the glamorous post war housewife aesthetic.
Phillips apparently made Florence’s dresses and Harry’s suits from vintage fabric, in addition to sourcing authentic period clothing. Everyday in Victory is a fashion show. We approve.
The movie is Wilde’s second outing as a director, after the critically lauded Booksmart. Wilde also plays Bunny, a neighbouring housewife who seems happy with her (p)lot.
And then there’s the soundtrack, which has so many great needle drops from the likes of Ray Charles, Benny Goodman, and the Platters, all interwoven with a dark, ominous original score by John Powell.
The perfect soundtrack to a disturbing cocktail party.
Don’t miss it darling.
Don’t Worry Darling is directed by Olivia Wilde, and stars Florence Pugh, Harry Styles, Gemma Chan, KiKi Layne and Chris Pine. Rated 15, 122 mins.
The Roundhouse is turning into a giant Queen gig – and it’s the closest you’ll get to seeing Freddie Mercury live
Ever wished you could go back to 1986 and see Freddie Mercury command a stadium in his absolute prime? London is about to offer the next best thing. On Saturday 3 October, Camden’s Roundhouse will transform into a giant Queen gig for Queen Budapest: The Concert Film Experience, an immersive screening of the band’s legendary…
From Taps to Digger, Tom Cruise reflects on four decades of cinema at BAFTA’s A Life in Pictures
Tom Cruise took a trip through more than four decades of Hollywood history at BAFTA this week, sharing stories from some of his most famous films and revealing what makes him want to keep making movies. Cruise was in London for the premiere of his new film Digger, when he joined BAFTA for an extended…
John Cena Matchbox movie gets Apple TV date, while Transformers classic heads back to cinemas
Apple has confirmed a streaming date for its live‑action Matchbox movie starring John Cena, expanding its growing action‑comedy slate. Inspired by Mattel’s miniature die-cast cars, Matchbox The Movie follows a group of lifelong friends whose quiet lives are disrupted when their former leader, now undercover CIA agent Sean, returns home and drags them into an…
Share this: