Promising Young Woman takes the term revenge thriller to the next level. Revenge has never been done like this before. Sure, other films have had some gory scenes and a lot of blood flowing, but the story in those films was pretty basic. Emerald Fennell has flipped the genre on its head. This film premiered at last year’s Sundance Film Festival. It was supposed to come out in April. Even though it got moved to Christmas, it was worth the wait.
Carey Mulligan plays a 30-year-old woman who lives with her parents. She works at a coffee shop by day and doubles as a seductress at night. She has been in a bit of a rut ever since a tragedy happened in college. She has a lot to offer the world because she’s smart and very pretty, but she’s stuck in this lifestyle she’s chosen instead of the one where she should have been. When she meets a tall stranger in her coffee shop, it could be the thing she needs to get out of her doldrums.
Carey Mulligan has had some great performances in her filmography. Now she is playing more mature characters. This film is right up her alley. This may be the best performance of her career. She had to do things in this film she hasn’t before.
Along with Mulligan, Promising Young Woman has a lot of good supporting performances. Bo Burnham as a love interest, Allison Brie as a college friend, and Clancy Brown and Jennifer Coolidge as her parents all give fantastic performances. This film has one of the best casts I’ve seen in any movie all year. Laverne Cox as the owner of the coffee shop was genius casting as well. Mulligan has a lot to act off of with this amazing cast.
Most revenge thrillers are pretty straightforward. Something happens to the main character and she/he seeks revenge on their tormentors. This film has a bit of a plot twist, though. Mulligan’s character has her way of dealing with the tragedy in her life, but Fennell wrote a genius script that never lets the viewers down. It has so many different twists and turns within it. The viewer is on the edge of their seat to the end of the film.
This film has one of the best performances of the year by Carey Mulligan. It has a great original script by Emerald Fennell. It takes a tried and true trope and expounds on it interestingly and entertainingly. This film is definitely an awards contender for sure. It’s good to see something different in theaters this holiday season. And not the usual holiday fare. It will make you think that’s for sure. Everybody should see this film because it’s great!
5 Stars
Dan Skip Allen
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Sean Boelman Founder/Lead Critic disappointment media
From the Fourth Row! 