Promising Young Woman movie review

MOVIE TITLE: Promising Young Woman

The movie premieres on December 25, 2020 in theaters only. Universal Studios recently signed a contract that allows movies to go to Video On Demand after 17 days in theaters, so now this movie is available online for rent or purchase.

RATING: R

LENGTH: 1 hour 53 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: C+

IN A NUTSHELL:

Written and directed by Emerald Fennell, this dark crime drama combines several genres in an interesting way. It’s controversial, alarming, and uncomfortable. This is Emerald Fennell’s first film and she’s off to a promising, young start.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Lots of profanity, crude language, and F-bombs
Violence and murder
Drugs
Alcohol and drunkenness

THEMES:

Revenge
Choices & consequences
Vulnerability
Predators
Forgiveness
Letting the past go
Secrets
Love
Vigilante justice
Abuse
Rape culture

THINGS I LIKED:

Carey Mulligan is incredible in this movie. We’ve never seen her quite like this before. She’s such a tremendous actress and also stars in a new movie called THE DIG, which premieres on January 29 on Netflix. She’s sure to be nominated for an Academy Award.
The stylish color palette looks like candy. The bubble-gum aspect of the film really masks the dark subject matter in an interesting way.
It’s very unpredictable.
I love twists and turns.
The story is divided by Roman numerals, making you think differently about each section.
The musical score wants you to feel a certain way, but I wasn’t always on the same page.
Lots of cameo performances, including Molly Shannon, Adam Brody, Alison Brie, Max Greenfield, Connie Britton, Laverne Cox, and Jennifer Coolidge.
I actually liked the ending, although I’ve read reviews from other critics who hated it.
I love that more women are jumping into the waters of directing films.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

The movie was marketed as a comedy. There was nothing funny about the content to me. I thought the behavior of most of the characters was horrifying.
The tone of the movie changes. Acts 1, 2, and 3 are very different from each other.
Everyone loves Bo Burnham, but I thought he looked way too young for Carey Mulligan’s character.
The character arc takes the viewer on a journey that doesn’t quite make sense.