This month Verve’s star teen reviewer LUCY KENNEDY discovers ‘perfection’ comes at a cost in Don’t Worry Darling
Don’t Worry Darling | Netflix
Alice Chambers lives a perfect life with a flawless home, and a caring husband, Jack. Her days are spent sipping martinis by the pool, attending dance classes, and shopping with the girls… Alice and Jack are living the American dream. But perfection is pricey, and something dark lurks beneath the shimmering surface of Victory, California.
The film is an exploration of confining traditional gender roles, the falsity of perfection, and the trap of domesticity. It’s a psychological thriller with an absolutely mind-bending twist that’s equal parts horror and shock – reminiscent of George Cukor’s 1944 film Gaslight, with manipulation and toxic relationships in abundance. Alice has to fight against those around her to uncover the truth of Victory, and much like Gaslight’s Paula Alquist, it comes at a terrible cost.
Starring the stunning Florence Pugh as Alice and pop sensation Harry Styles as Jack, the film boasts fantastic acting, particularly from Pugh. I would recommend this film to feminists, lovers of foreshadowing, fans of Stepford Wives, and anyone who’s in the mood to direct some good old anger at the patriarchy. Directed by Olivia Wilde, Don’t Worry Darling is a 1950s utopia-turned-nightmare that will leave you with questions and re-examining the minor details long after the credits roll.
Available to view on Netflix | 3 stars
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