Lou is a reclusive gym manager who falls hard for Jackie, an ambitious bodybuilder who's heading to Las Vegas to pursue her dream. Their love soon leads to violence as they get pulled deep into the web of Lou's criminal family.
Director: Rose Glass
Cast: Kristen Stewart, Katy O'Brian, Jena Malone, Anna Baryshnikov, Dave Franco, Ed Harris
Release Date: March 8, 2024
Genre: Action, Adventure, Crime, Mystery, Romance, Thriller
Rated R for violence and grisly images, sexual content, nudity, language throughout and drug use.
Runtime:1h 44m
Review:
Rose Glass's sophomore feature, a grimy 80s set crime drama/love story, again shows off her talent as a visual storyteller and an ability to get inside the minds of her characters. Her film is sweaty and burly in a very specific way almost serving as a counter point to the overly manly action films of the 80s. There's a tangible energy emanating from the screen from the start and Glass manages to maintain it for nearly the entire runtime. She splashes visual flourishes sporadically through the film's earlier acts before moving to something more abstract which works for the themes she's addressing but makes the actual story slightly more disjointed, especially in the final reel. By that point, though, the story has it hooks in you thanks to Glass's direction and impressive turns from the film's central duo of Kristen Stewart and Katy O'Brian. Both bring a palpable sense of authenticity to their characters that makes their story and relationship engaging throughout. Kristen Stewart gives her character a sense of aimless, hopelessness early on before finding a sliver of salvation in Katy O'Brian's Jackie. O'Brian's imposing frame makes an immediate impression, but she pairs it with a sweet, naivety that makes her character likeable before moving into a more delusional obsession which leads to a series of bad choices. Both performances have subtle hints of raw vulnerability simmering underneath which makes their bloody and darkly funny trek all that more entertaining. Their supporting cast is a made up of familiar faces like Ed Harris, Dave Franco and Jena Malone who all make the most of their screen time with Harris proving he can still be imitating even when he's sporting a fake hippy length wig paired with his bald head. Anna Baryshnikov has a minor but pivotal role in the back half of the film, and she manages to leave a noticeable impression. Love Lies Bleeding fumbles a bit in the home stretch, but it doesn't take away from another strong outing from Rose Glass, proving she's hardly a flash in the pan as a writer and director.
B+
