"It's every man's worst nightmare, getting accused of something like that."
"Do you know what every woman's worst nightmares is?"
Promising Young Woman is dark, entertaining and engaging. It’s not flawless, I don't think it's a cinematic masterpiece or anything like that but I really enjoyed it. The film surprised me by how many turns it took, it had me wondering where the story would lead. The tone and genre shifted a little bit too much, which was jarring at times but ultimately made the movie more exciting.
What I liked:
The use of symbolism, colors, music, and framing. The movie is so damn visually pleasing;
Great ensemble cast. Carey Mulligan was absolutely brilliant in every single scene;
I liked that Cassandra is cunning, she is not the typical 'cold sociopath' but rather a vengeful woman completely fed up with masculinity. I also liked that Cassie is not a Mary Sue. You don’t get to see a female character like this so often. Her revenge on Madison was too cruel. Later, she admitted nothing really happened when Madison was drunk, but how can we be sure she wasn’t rape? The film’s logic is that men will always take advantage of drunk women, why would this time be different? I know that hurt people want other people to feel their pain when they believe they were never acknowledged, that’s what the creators of this movie wanted to show;
It's an interesting choice that for once, the main character is not the victim herself, so the movie is based on the depth of a friendship, and loyalty between the bond of women;
The ending, really exhilarating, matched the message of the film. Yes, it’s bitter and cynical, and leaves a bad taste in your mouth. But that’s the point. The twist was pretty brutal and bold, I definitely didn't think they'd go there. At a certain part I thought this was going to turn into a melodrama about Cassie and Ryan's relationship. It seems like some reviewers were expecting Cassandra to be a hero, to literally kill the men who wronged her. People want some movies to be documentaries, not fiction, but just some!! For example, they have absolutely no problem with watching Borat, despite the fact that this is not how Kazakhs behave or even talk (Sacha Cohen’s fake accent is just horrible and wrong), they don't think how the movie would affect Kazaks. BUT according to these people Promising Young Woman should have ended with the main character triumphing and a happy ending, otherwise it would have negative effect on rape victims. One don’t get to dictate people’s politics but surely we can at least expect them to be consistent? You can’t want acting to be a physical representation/stand-in for a belief system when it suits you and don't when it serves your interests.
What I didn’t like:
The comedic tone of the scene following Cassandra’s death and at the wedding is inappropriate. The characters of Joe and Al Monroe are completely cheesy, idiotic, and quite unrealistic. I wanted them to be more serious because this is not a sitcom.
Cassandra is putting herself in a lot of incredibly potentially dangerous situations. How come none of the guys she was trying to deceit didn’t have weapons of any sort, or didn’t get mad that a woman played them?
All in all, the movie is tense, topical, and eye-opening for people who don’t believe victims of sexual harassment.
“Can you guess what every woman's worst nightmare is?”
You know, I find it genuinely concerning that some people are angry and upset over this movie. I mean, just look on IMDB. Film is subjective and it’s OK not to like this movie, but the thing I don’t understand is why certain people are upset with the themes this movie appropriately presents. Even through deep inside I know why. If it scares them, good, because they deserve to be scared.
‘Promising Young Woman’ is a rare revenge movie that crosses several genres with one sharp sweep. Some parts are funny, other times it’s romantic, but it can get DARK really quick. I thought the way it was executed was creative and interesting. It shocked me at times with its twist and turns, even though it shouldn’t be surprising. The world can be so dark and treacherous that being surprised by its twisted ways is a bit foolish. Certain elements felt realistic, while other elements of the movie felt...well, like a movie.
It’s nice to see that Carey Mulligan’s career is getting better and better. In this movie Mulligan delivers an amazing performance that was captivating to watch. It’s difficult to imagine an actor playing a character who is dealing with so much emotional baggage and vulnerability from past events in her life, but tries her best to conceal it, but Mulligan manages to find the right balance. She can be extremely funny, emotional, and really intimidating. Her drunk acting deserves some praise as well, because within the movie her character pretends to be drunk in bars or nightclubs, to trick “nice guys” who want take advantage on her intoxicated vulnerability, before she drops the act to scare them enough to teach them a lesson. The transformation from drunk to sober was nothing short of impressive.
I was surprised to see Bo Burnham here and it’s great seeing him getting acting roles. He is a man of many talents; comedy is one of them and in this movie he never fails to make me smile. Alison Brie and Alfred Molina are also in this movie and both did a great job in their small roles.
I give this movie major credit for being unpredictable. I would sometimes try to guess where the story might be heading, to only have the rug pulled right under me.
It was an interesting choice to cast likeable actors in the roles of predators and despicable people. The movie smartly suggests that people like these can easily hide their sinister side through a fake smile and popularity.
Now I’m being vague about certain things because I’m hoping what I’ve said so far might boost your interest in checking this one. I’m starting to do that now, going in blind and leaving impressed (hopefully).
Director and writer Emerald Fennell did a solid job on delivering a fresh and unique take on a brutal topic with extreme care on the subject matter. This is also her direct debut and everything I’ve seen on screen shows great potential for her as a filmmaker in the future. The look of the movie has that candy-like colour to it, which made the movie look visually appealing to the eye. Revenge has never looked so colourful.
Without spoiling the ending for the movie, but the way it concludes is very strange and rare. I was both sad and happy at the same time. However, it can also make or break the movie for some, while I was kind of mixed on it. Some parts of the ending were realistic, as it was a cold reminder for us that sometimes justice isn’t always severed.
Unfortunately, this is where my issues start to come in. When I said some parts of the ending was dark and realistic, well to me it didn’t quite commit to that with the last few minutes of the movie. I just wished they took more of a real approach to conclude the conflict that could be plausible. I also thought the movie was a little on the nose with its social message at times.
And that’s really it for issues. What, you expected more? Surprise!
Overall rating: Revenge is best severed in confetti and rainbow colours.
OMG this was so lame. So predictible, so weak. I don't get the hype about it.
Based on the trailer this comment section is going to be a shit show. Trailer looks good, reviews are also good. Excited to see the film.
The movie everyone should be forced to watch. Not just men for the obvious reasons, but women because everyone needs a reminder of how even the “nicest guys” can be absolute pieces of shit. There is not a single thing about this movie I would critique. It is perfect.
I'm shocked. Definitely unexpected ending. This movie is both important piece of art and social commentary that we need
The story is very touching, I understand the pain they tried to show during the movie, but couldnt recommend it for anyone. It's boring, slow and you get very tired after the first 30 minutes.
It doenst make any sense and I'm still trying to understand how some people are saying it's going to be a Oscar nominee.
Nice movie and a solid performance from Carey. My mistake, maybe, was reading the overexcited reviews first and going in with my expectations too high.
I wanted to like this movie, and I didn't dislike it, but I wanted to like it a lot more than I did by the time it was over. I was engaged in the plot, it was well acted, the story had me following it through every turn, in my opinion it just really botched the ending. I get Cassandra was going through a lot and that she was unhappy, but I don't think killing her off is the best way the story could've ended. I would've preferred at some point for the pillow to have been lifted and find out she was faking it just like she kept faking being drunk earlier in the movie. It didn't not make sense, you kind of just wanted to see her win without losing again too. In the end the guy could still get off claiming the whole thing was self defense. Overall it was a good movie still, I just think it could've been better if it ended stronger.
I did enjoy this movie. however, some parts worked much better than others. I would say my favorite aspect is the character manipulation and development through the film. carey mulligan is spectacular and I can’t say anything more about bo burnham that someone else hasn’t said. I knew going into this that he’d be an asshole, and he still roped me in with that bicycle line. damn you, lanky brunettes!
that being said, the ending absolutely left something to be desired. as others have already mentioned much more eloquently than I can, cassie’s death and subsequent “revenge” felt more like a cheap audience emotion-grab than a fitting resolution. I truly think the film’s message would have been communicated so much better if the posthumous “revenge” was left out, because it really makes the storyline feel… cheapened. it reminds me of the ever-popular “bury your gays” trope of the 20-teens ish, except instead of LGBT+ members, it’s victims of sexual assault who seek justice.
overall, I commend emerald for what she attempted, but I’d like to see a piece with a bit more sensitivity and consideration in the future.
Gonna tell my kids this is Wonder Woman 2.
What struck me during the second watch (in the theater, this time) was how incredible the writing is. The set up, scene placement and the intricate structure of the story is part of what makes this film so breath taking. Carey Mulligan is the rest...
Bo Burnham's presence made me sweat throughout the entirety of the movie. Like, shit, he can't just be there for comedic relief. When I heard the voice on the recording I screamed, expecting some joker type stuff.
And then in the end it wasn't anything related. You have this interesting character you build around this unpredictable actor. Don't leave him in a field please.
This is a nice movie with sensible topic. I respect women who suffer with the plot of this movie. The story is going on very well. Recommended...
It's a movie that has a false sense of relief by being vibrant and colourful but deep down has a darker tone to It.
It was a perspective that we do not see often, and it was nice to see how our main protagonist went through hell to send across a message.
The one thing I loved throughout the movie was listening to some of my favourite song covers as it adds more to the scene, and it makes sense.
I get why some people would have an issue with it, and I feel like there are some problems.
There could have easily been more diversity when it comes to casting and some general plot points within the movie itself. The film had the right idea, but when it came to execution, it did lack. I know people went in thinking it would be on the same level of I spit on your grave but ultimately takes a different turn. I have gone through the reviews after watching the movie, and honestly i find the grievances valid.
That being said, It was visually stunning, and the colours popped out so much.
It’s s decent enough movie with flaws, and I would recommend it with caution. If you’re not comfortable with the subject of sexual assault, then you probably should sit this one out or go in it with caution.
Folks who are angry this wasn’t a revenge murder fantasy: I get it and I feel you.
But I’ve seen that story a hundred times. I would see it again, but it’s also incomplete and there’s something it doesn’t satisfy. It’s an exciting fantasy but it’s false to an aspect of the experience of violence.
Mulligan’s performance and Fennell’s script captures a particular and common emotional response to violence and the power and limit of it, one that is common in the world and uncommon on the screen. The invulnerability that isn’t actually any protection. The anger that overflows its targets. The false control of tightening how one presents oneself. The stubborn determination at the precipice of self-harm (ok, that I see in gritty action man stories all the time - but its physics here are more real).
The fact that Cassie’s revenge wields the systems that failed Nina (and her) before - the lawyer, the police, and the threat of the whisper network - the radically different response of these systems to a corpse than to other kinds of death - this says something that an escape fantasy can’t.
A story of violent revenge can be cathartic but underlying it is a subtle victim-blaming idea: the idea that women ought to be strong enough to survive anything. That sounds at first blush empowering but I’ve seen that expectation crush women. That Cassie is the strongest of women and does not survive - this story gives me a kind of strength in the face of a violent world that feels more sustainable than hope.
Brilliant soundtrack, set design. A genius title card trick (“IIII”). Extremely clever subversions of filmic language (though like maybe five less minutes of threatening horror strings would have strengthened things). Bo Burnham is inconsistent but occasionally quite good, and carried by the script beyond his chops. Mulligan is incredible. Laverne Cox is extremely charming and the (not clued in dialogue) Black trans femme subtext - her character sure as hell knows what it’s like to lose a friend to the aftereffects of systemic violence as Cassie did - amplified their chemistry. Molly Shannon has one brief but perfect scene. And everyone else is a cartoon. Which weakens the impact and the message - cartoon men built to be laughed at don’t feel the same kind of dangerous as their real life counterparts and most of the real-life rapists I know are closer to Burnham’s character than the other men in this movie - butthis might help keep the film from collapsing under the weight of the subject.
I can tell how this can be the holly grail for women but i think it was an excellent movie with a great story and impact. It can shake you to your core and the ending for me was a good ending. I prefer it better that way than a "normal" one. It gave more credibility and more accuracy.
A fantastic dark comedy with a great message.
So many feels... the last ten minutes of the movie put a knife in my heart and twisted the blade. What a movie!
[7.6/10] I don’t know quite how to take Promising Young Woman. If it’s meant to be taken seriously, as a grim if dayglo-covered look at not only sexual assault but the culture that excuses and reinforces it, then it plays as a little too exaggerated and unreal for its points to fully land. The film touches on some genuine pathologies, exploring both the systems that grant absolution to men and put the onus on women as well as the grief and trauma those women experience. But it veers between hollowed out realizations of these ideas and cartoony dramatizations of them.
And yet, if it’s meant to be a pitch black comedy, or at least a take on those ideas through a cheeky, outsized lens, then it works much better. I don’t know if writer-director Emerald Fennell has a pretension toward realism here. Instead, you get the impression of the film as a subtle funhouse mirror held up to our society, one just warped enough to make room for the extreme and the contrived, but still reflecting something true enough to hit a nerve.
The film plays like the lovechild of a Quentin Tarantino film, with its retro-styled vengeance-fueled pastiche, and a Diablo Cody picture, with its blend of heightened but recognizably intimate interactions and eye-catching quirk. That’s a lot to contain within any one film, and it leads to some tonal problems (or at least bumps in the road) during the movie. But ultimately it results in something compelling, distinctive, and original, which is all you can really ask for from a movie.
The film centers on Cassandra, a former med student who lures men at bars who try to date rape drunk women as a tonic, and penance, after the death of her lifelong best friend. That friend, Nina, was raped in medical school by a classmate, and beyond the horrible event itself, the way no one believed her story, due to her drunkenness and reputation, left Nina traumatized. When the opportunity arises, Cassandra sets aside delivering unnerving warnings to terrible “nice guys,” and sets out on a roaring rampage of revenge against the people who hurt her friend, replete with scratch marks superimposed on the screen to keep track.
It’s a strong setup, one that establishes a central motivation for the protagonist, a structure for the film to follow, and enough of a mystery box to slowly open up as the story unfolds. As the film wears on, we learn more and more about what exactly happened to Nina, why it left such an impression on Cassandra, and how it’s stayed with her and manifested in her behavior in the years since.
Promising Young Woman also drips with style. Fennell and cinematographer Benjamin Kračun know how to frame Cassandra’s ploys and deeds for maximum tension, while also knowing how to tone it down for more intimate and relaxed moments. Costumer Nancy Steiner soars with choices for Cassandra that not only reflect her personality, but make for striking and colorful presentations of her in frame. And Fennell and her team have a blast with some truly excellent, arguably even subversive, needle drops, playing off songs like Britney Spears’ “Toxic” and Paris Hilton’s lone pop hit and even the fricking King and I in ways that add to a certain satirical edge.
Whatever sense there is to make of story and theme, this is an easy film to keep watching, despite its subject matter. That owes to how engrossing the aesthetic and overall vibe of the piece is.
At times, though, it blunts its subject matter by caricaturing a lot of its villains. The movie has valid, frankly urgent points to make about who gets blamed for sexual assault, whose futures are valued, whose voices are silenced, and who bears the brunt of the negative consequences when such terrible crimes are committed. But when every single remotely kind person immediately devolves into a complicit or violative asshole at the slightest bit of pressure, the film’s narrative proves too much and drifts away from the realities of those problems.
But at the same time, the film’s central turn works. We see how much the guilt and rage has worn down Cassandra. Carey Mulligan does a superb job showing the film’s main character as someone sharp enough to be manipulative and sells the caustic wit, while also subtle conveying the sense of hollowness to her existence, the numbness and inability to want or enjoy anything after the rank injustice she witnessed.
And then Ryan comes into her life, a preternaturally charming former med school classmate who has meetcutes and goofy dances in drugstores and fumfers around like an American Hugh Grant in a sweet romcom. Nina’s mom tells Cassandra to let it go, to live her life, to allow herself to move forward. For a while, Cassandra does, giving into Ryan’s affections, taking him to meet her parents, exchanging “I love you”s and, for the first time in seven years, accepting that there are good people out there, enough for her to set aside her revenge plot.
Until, of course, it turns out that Ryan was at the party where fellow classmate Al Monroe raped Nina, with his voice captured on a late-breaking video of the incident, and did nothing. Cassandra’s bitter cynicism is renewed. Her loathing for the way that almost every seemingly kind person is too good to be true in a word of folks who maintain this system is redoubled. And her intent to extract revenge from the douchebags who destroyed her best friend’s life, by any means necessary, is reinstated.
It’s a devastating turn, one that plays on how effective the romantic comedy tropes and dynamic the film establishes between Cassandra and Ryan is. But from there, the movie blasts off into a space a little. Cassandra’s attempt to wreak vengeance upon Al and his cronies is, again, stylish, but over-the-top. The aftermath, with high-pitched refrains of “We were kids” and “It’s not your fault” have an oddly broad comic tone. The film toys with the audience’s emotions, making you think that Cassandra will be yet another body burned on the altar of rape culture and toxic masculinity, until she suddenly gains her satisfaction from beyond the grave.
That is, once again, a lot to pack into the final reel, in terms of style, story, and tone. It’s alternatingly harrowing, head scratch-worthy, and cheekily satisfying in the end, but it left me at something of a loss. If this is a movie that intends to make a deep and powerful statement about our societal response to and treatment of rape, the movie, its story beats, and its tone are a bit too all over the place to wholly succeed.
But if, true to the film’s exploitation movie roots, Fennell and company simply want to spin an attention-grabbing (and keeping) yarn, soaked in social commentary, but more apt to realize its aims through twists and turns and unlikely but rousing successes in the art of revenge, then it works. I still don’t know if Promising Young Woman could pass as serious drama. Frankly, it’s not clear that it wants to. But it can definitely work as a stretch of pitch black satirical barbed wire, one that’s still sharp enough to draw blood.
Though it was brilliant. The end was satisfying yet disappointing at the same time.
I loved it, and then i hated it... and then I liked it again... then I was mad... then angry.... then sad... 10/10.
I don’t know how to feel about this, it was boring for me up until pretty much near the end, it didn’t make me feel anything? Idk something was just,, off,, about it
Very unique movie. Acting was very good. Certainly a roller coaster of a plot making one think it's a thriller/slasher movie in the beginning that turns into a revenge/thriller with a twist of a plot near the middle. There are also twists including the ending that is shocking. Overall a movie that keeps you on your toes with a roller coaster of emotions.
Carey Mulligan stars in the indie character drama Promising Young Woman. Traumatized by the death of her best friend who was raped, Cassandra becomes a vigilante; seeking out those responsible and preying on potential rapists. Mulligan gives a strong performance, and is backed by an impressive supporting cast that includes Alison Brie, Adam Brody, Clancy Brown, and Connie Britton. However, the script is a little weak and the character is a bit too enigmatic. Still, the ruses and punishments that she deals out are rather clever. And director Emerald Fennell has a rather raw and evocative style that heightens the material. It has its problems, but Promising Young Woman is an incredibly provocative and compelling film.
This film summed up in one sentence: Feminist Revenge Porn.
You will probably like this film if you are a fan of The Handmaidens Tale, Sex and the City and the show Girls.
You will probably dislike this film if you are NOT a fan of The Handmaidens Tale, Sex and the City and the show Girls.
What is delayed is not lost. Better to remember the moral of this movie. p.s. Carey Mulligan played her part brilliantly.
Very great movie, the theme are well aborded and the acting is great !
honestly so incredible. this did a good job of being a revenge flick, dark comedy, tragedy and cautionary tale all in one and that's a testament to the director for sure. 100% recommend, all the acting was incredible and carey mulligan honestly deserves a million awards for how versatile and believable she is as an actor.
also, the soundtrack was :fire:
movie is very interesting and fun to watch. i would give 7 points because u can easily watch it with no guilty conscience. one extra point though for the soundtrack. it really fits the scenes and has some cool covers. overall def a mustwatch. at least one time!
This is great film!
The ending is all kinds of wow (sad and fuck you).
If I'd've seen this in a theatre, I would have stood up and applauded.
Much more than the revenge thriller I was expecting. This was a twisting uncompromising surprise, and very timely in its subject matter. Mulligan is such an incredible actress and she gives a performance that will draw you in and shatter your heart.
I had a bit of a weird personal experience with this one. When the movie finished my initial reaction was that it was fantastic and easily one of the best films of the year. I still think that way but after digesting the movie and seeing some of the criticisms of the movie I now see it in a slightly different way. On the surface this felt like a revenge thriller but when you look at the actions of the main character in some depth you start to realize that she was rather deranged and that casts a different light on her actions. For example, was she right to do what she did to the woman that simply didn't believe the story? There were a few holes and a few instances where the movie tried to have it both ways. That said, I really enjoyed it.
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Great film. Carey Mulligan is amazing in it. I just want to say: Death to the rapist patriarchy . Also, great soundtrack. Very cool all around.
I went into this knowing nothing and was pleasantly surprised. Cutting of some dragging scenes would be beneficial to make the story more tight.
interesting and for sure well made..It's excessive in some points but overrall it's a great movie and Mulligan's perfomance was the best in her carrer for me she deserves an oscar for this movie.7.8/10
It begins like an America psycho sequel, than moves to a romantic comedy that alternates with The Accused, to going back to American Paycho and then giving you an amazing twist that completely shocked me, to end in a very vulgar way. This is one of those movies that wasn’t comfortable with becoming an instant classic and had to put a trophy ending. If you remove the wedding scene, it is one of the darkest and funniest movies I have seen recently
Brilliant, sharp film. Deals with rape culture with subtlety and nuance.
I was glad to see a movie tackling how 'nice men' see themselves as not part of rape culture or rapists.
And that ending!
wow... that ending.... a must watch for anyone!!!!
Controversial ending but overall impactful and really well made and well built narrative/tension/pace wise. Emerald Fennel has a thing for dangerous woman and I for one couldn’t be happier about it. Carey Mulligan front runner for best actress so far from what I’ve seen this year!
Damn, how tall is Bo Burnham?
The movie is bad, not unwatchable bad but bad anyways. It’s slow as hell, the acting is bad (“flat out”), the storytelling is dull, the photography is mediocre, everything is a mess. DON’T WASTE YOUR TIME, DON’T WATCH IT.
It has a nice theme: There are no nice guys!
But I think they should have shown Nina's backstory too. Especially of her mother who seemed quite cool which is weird because how can you move on from something like this. I mean you can but not completely.
For a fantastic description of the issues with this movie: https://boxd.it/1JrHx5
This movies hurts, and I've cried three times.
I feel really bad for those who went through abuse. Hope you are doing okay. And I think it is really important everyone watches movies like this. I did not like how the movie ended, didn't want Cassie to die. Jesus Christ, this movie was a roller coaster.
Batman suffered a trauma, used his anger as fuel take down scumbags and became a super hero. That makes Cassandra Thomas a super hero and Promising Young Woman the best Super Hero movie I've seen in ages.
The best movie to come out all year
My first number 10 of the year. A searing and uncomfortable journey through toxic masculinity and a tour-de-force performance from Carey Mulligan
This is a nice watch.
What stood out most to me with this film was the way it bounced around genres and still made it somehow work. It did make for a slightly inconsistent tone as we moved through the middle of the film, but it still worked. This is a revenge thriller at its core, but it takes a lot of the clichés and conventions of the genre and plays a bit to the side of them. This leads to some scenes that go just a tad left of how you'd assume they would, which kept me interested throughout.
Really unpredictable movie with twists and turns enough for whiplash... performances are great and direction is on point. Loved the end... no spoilers
You see hashtags like #metoo and #ibelieveher, you read and hear stories in the news. This movie asks questions of all the people who are complicit in perpetuating a system.
The movie is stylish and takes you by surprise. One minute you think you're watching a goofy lost girl, or a psychopath, or a disillusioned singleton and then who she is appears gradually. The pace suffers a little half way through and then picks up again soon.
A very satisfying watch that, without lecturing, leaves us with many different perspectives on culpability, responsibility, complicity.
So much better than Saltburm.
Wow! It was unsettling and unexpected. The romance between Cassandra and Ryan was cute though.
Carey Mulligan ohh myy babeee
I lvv you
Really good but I took 1 point off for sloppy writing when it came to when she was caught walking out of the bar with the other bloke. The only reason she didn't explain what she was doing was because of plot. Cause had she explained to Ryan what was going on, the story wouldn't work. But in the real world this wouldn't work.
Stunning, truly. Everyone should watch this film…and watch it again, whilst taking notes
I want to rate this higher, but the damaged woman with a tragic past dying at the end is a cliche that needs to be done away with. You can't tell a story like this, and then do that...
All men are assholes, not very subtle message...
It's been a while since I've seen such a good movie. It touches a heavy subject and starts the conversation. Well performed by Carey Mulligan. It's intense. oof, and that ending. I was shocked to see Cassandra die like that but you could feel that this was not in vain. This woman planned it out perfectly and the ending was therefore bittersweet but satisfying.
I will recommend this movie to anyone everwhere from now on out.
All men are bad. Women win. All works out. With all the men being terrible and women awesome. :cowboy: Bo burnham was good tho
I've just watched this for the second time, and I enjoyed it just as much. Though I think I'd like to have seen more on Nina's story
Okay, we guys are slobs. We knew it.
Great movie with an unexpected and unique story. Brilliant acting by Carey Mulligan and the rest of the cast. The ending is good but really would have hoped for a different outcome.
Did not go where I expected. Halfway through I thought it was almost over. Everyone needs to see this movie. I wouldn't advocate for the ending, but some people like to shove their heads in the sand and pretend rape isn't rape. This movie is your wake up call. Too many women are the so called friend and the Dean as portrayed in this movie. You need this movie most of all.
AND REALLY NICE to see the majority of men that commented thus far (excepting only 2) got it. Be very wary of any man that doesn't get this movie. It's likely, he's one of them that this movie is about.
FYI she does zero bodily harm to r:pound_symbol:pists, so if you came here to watch that for almost 2 hours you will be disappointed
What an awful movie. Beourk.
What destroys you is always your concern
Such relief at the conclusion, I had felt just before then that the previous event had ruined my opinion of the film, but rethinking it I guess that’s the point? That she’s another promising young woman that will be forgotten by these guys in weeks and never thought of again.
Ryan could have had the police walk over to him before the fade to black, imo.
My only slight complaint was the audio mix, the background tone was too often in the foreground - which I can understand, they really want you to notice Toxic being played orchestrally. Would’ve pulled it down a notch.
In spite of the recent horrendous role reversal bad acts of Amber Heard, Christine Blasey Ford, and others of that ilk and temperament, lately, it seems that not a day goes by when yet another "upstanding" pillar of society is revealed to be basically, at the least, Creepy McCreepenstein, if not outright Rapey McRaperson. Still, even with the me too movement, there is often a veil of doubt that can be cast if the object of the unwanted attention, and/or the perpetrator of the vileness was under the influence of alcohol. Seemingly as an excuse for the bad behavior of the abuser(s), yet, at the same time a virtual scarlet letter for the victim if they "allowed" themselves to get in a vulnerable position.
Why is that?
Granted, while NO ONE should be victim shamed, exactly how much of the responsibility does a woman bear to keep herself safe? Jodie Foster posited that exact question almost 25 years ago in a movie called "The Accused", and Carrie Mulligan turns that concept on it's head in "A Promising Young Woman".
Let me first say that, over the years, working entertainment security, I PERSONALLY have intervened many times ,when, at the end of the night some "player" was nearly carrying an almost comatose woman out of the club to "see that she gets home safe", and yet, did not know her name, where she lived, or anything about her, other than she was scantily dressed, vulnerable, and apparently alone. I dread to think what could, would, and does happen to females in that situation, when no one is looking out for them. But those are stories for another time.
Here, Mulligans Cassandra isn't the PRIMARY victim, but, is a victim nonetheless, as the friend who wasn't there when she was needed the most, and is now trying to atone in the aftermath by forcing the "creepo's" to look their behavior squarely in the eye. It's cosplay taken to the extreme, yet, it is staggeringly effective, not just for those she confronts, but for the audience as well. What are WE willing to tolerate as far as bad behavior from our friends and colleagues? How often after the fact, have you seen celebrities saying "we all knew what was going on", but, yet, nothing was ever said until the news breaks and the accusations (and accusers) start piling up? (Bill Cosby, Harvey Weinstein, Epstein Island anyone?)
Cassandra has lost herself in a revenge fantasy played out in real life. She has given up on anything but "righting the wrong" done to her best friend. Yet, the movie takes a turn where it almost looks like she can let it go, as he friends Mother tells her, until one of her own victims reveals some devastating new information which throws he back into the darkness of her guilt. (could Madison have plotted the revenge of the revenged?)
Her ultimate final fantasy appears to have gone pear shaped, or, DID it? I kept hoping for the best until her outcome was clear, yet, in the end, perhaps she did indeed get the ultimate vengeance.
I'll let Dua Lipa close this out, as, she sums my thoughts up well:
An undoubtedly controversial film, classified as Revenge Movie. A 30-year-old woman with a successful life ahead of her studying medicine (hence the title in English: Promising Young Woman), abandons everything due to a traumatic situation of rape (not towards her, but towards her best friend). She, Cassandra, embarks on a self-imposed journey of raising awareness in men with sociopathic rape tendencies through deception-acting that is overwhelmingly dangerous for her. The film is a roller coaster of emotions that takes you from thriller to romance, and from comedy to drama. Carey Mulligan's performance in the leading role is great, there was criticism towards casting her as Cassandra, but it seemed right to me. Emerald Fennell, the screenwriter and director, builds a great film with an ending that undoubtedly divides the audience: who hates it and who accepts it (to say that someone loved the ending can be scandalous); I am in the second group: I think the ending was adequate, unfortunately it is not a pleasant ending, it is not the pink ending that it could have been, but it is the ending that was needed to close the film in a plausible way. One of the best successes was the music: covers of pop songs that fit perfectly in the different scenes in which they are presented (the instrumental version of Toxic seemed great to me). However, there is a but: the first scene in which Alfred Molina appears seemed forced, nothing genuine and that it needed a few more minutes to fit correctly. Of its five Oscar nominations, I would like it to win Best Original Screenplay, as it is a great construction of the story. It is not an easy movie to see for certain people, but I think it is a movie that should be seen because it puts on the table one of the most present issues in today's society (and that unfortunately Hollywood -one of the meccas of misogyny- nows it and is going to exploit it monetarily as much as it can. Long live capitalism! :confused:).
THE BETTER: ‘PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN’
WRITING: 85
ACTING: 100
LOOK: 90
SOUND: 100
FEEL: 95
NOVELTY: 95
ENJOYMENT: 100
RE-WATCHABILITY: 100
INTRIGUE: 100
EXPECTATIONS: 100
THE GOOD:
The opening of Promising Young Woman throws us directly into a situation that most of us recognize extremely well; it’s familiar and so uncomfortable. From there the story branches out in unexpected directions while always making sure it sends out a clear message to the audience.
This is a very provocative piece of post-metoo feminist cinema, following a young woman’s personal crusade to rid this world of all the trash that sometimes makes it a rotten place to live in as a woman. These people aren’t just sexually desperate men, but also many women acting like trash or turning the other cheek to all these problems. The fact that the script manages to deliver a clear message, while not falling for too narrow a perspective, ensures that most viewers will find something to enjoy here.
Carey Mulligan has been under the radar for so long that her performance here feels like an explosive comeback. She shows such confidence, versatility and explosive force that she steals every single scene she is in.
What this film does extremely well is showing the twisted ways in which many men exploit and treat women; an ugly phenomenon, which, unfortunately, feels so natural that most of us don’t even think about it.
Director-writer Emerald Fennell expertly shifts from perfectly normal, mostly direct angles to slowly moving close-ups, unusually framed shots and abrupt cuts, seasoned with a great score consisting of catchy covers and ominous instrumental pieces. These techniques help underline the contrast between the intentionally clichéd story elements and the more effectively delivered feminist messages.
While the basic plot sees Cassie seek out revenge for those, who have wronged her, it is also a great analogy for more deeply rooted problems with some men and women in our society. Seeing Cassie bend the rules of what is socially acceptable and boldly exploit the situations he finds herself in for her personal satisfaction is somehow oddly satisfying.
Despite featuring a variety of different tones, from the cheesy to the intense, to the uncomfortable and the funny, the script, directing and acting mixes all of these tones seamlessly into a wholly rewarding watching experience.
I don’t know which part of the plot is more tense or interesting; Cassie’s personal crusade or her slowly evolving relationship with the decent pediatric doctor Ryan, which steadily makes her re-evaluate her life and her priorities.
Despite the obvious twists in the final act, that final 30 minutes is a pulse-pounding thrill-ride made all the better by Mulligan’s performance. It all leads to the satisfying climax and finale, which is both uncomfortable and tense in every possible way. The very end made me want to jump up and down out of joy because it felt so incredibly satisfying
That climactic sequence on the bed, with Al slowly choking the life out of Cassie, might very well be one of the most powerful film deaths I’ve seen. It’s painfully slow and excruciatingly uncomfortable, yet so tense.
THE BAD:
There better be a 4-hour director’s cut, because this one was way too short!
THE UGLY:
Anybody else who kept thinking of Harley Quinn during the final act?
THE VERDICT:
A thrilling, uncomfortable and rewarding feminist piece of cinema, perfectly bringing up current societal issues and dealing with them in ways that will surely satisfy female and male viewers alike.
97% = :white_check_mark::white_check_mark: = BETTER
A good movie. Worth watching. Seems dark at first. As the story progresses we realize the basic human nature against rage, emotional exploitation and what it can do to a person's life. It sows the seed of thoughtfulness in the watcher's mind.
This movie is well-schemed and brought to life by brilliant performances all around. The ride of the plot is empowering, hilarious, heart-breaking, and DARK, but the discomfort of watching the movie speaks to its subject matter most profoundly.
i loved promising young woman and am rooting for it to win a few awards. there is a sense of contempt for non-niche films detectable/implied in a few reviews, which i don't think is fruitful when it comes to cinematic discussions. "high/art" (whatever that even means) culture does not exist, the postmodern ethos taught us so—and that should remain a point of reference when critiquing creative media, especially within a hollywoodian context. there seems to be a foil covering the eyes of a handful of individuals that filters out the film itself and only allows them to (mis)read its political and aesthetic (under)tones.
to me, the film is subversive enough—not that it's a requirement to feel immersed in a cinematic experience. genre and narrative are b(l)ended, which does not let the spectator map out a conventional arc for the characters or, with that, a clichéd viewing experience for themselves. it does resonate with the current political climate, i agree, to a certain extent. do not forget, however, that the ending showcases how far a female still has to go to bring the appropriate amount of attention to her cause. put differently, toxic masculinity is not at all destroyed in this film: on the contrary, it destroys—yet again—female agency. that's the core issue, in my opinion, that is being conveyed in a simultaneously subtle and in-your-face manner: subtle, as the leading character's last actions could easily be read as those of self-destruction, yet, as i just argued, it's not really her doing; and in-your-face, as female revenge is explicitly thematized throughout the film.
there is a play here that takes place: not only in terms of the genre, the narrative, and the tone, but also, importantly, in terms of the political gaze that reads female agency as revenge and, in turn, toxic masculinity as a thing that is being destroyed. if you look closely (pun intended), promising young woman does not confirm, and uncritically align with, today's "fashionable politics," as many put it. instead, it opts for showing the limits that should not be crossed for female lives to matter. death of one female to highlight another one's life and the death of "the toxic male" are not measures of solution because agency gets lost in both processes. society, however, has not yet reached that dialogic threshold at which preservation of being prevails over masculine fragility or female revenge. normative approaches to existence is still very much affected—and dictated—by western binary thinking (e.g., male/female, active/passive, good/bad).
promising young woman is a film that plays on these ideals to flip the perspective of the careful eye and reveal the oversimplification and the bias that make the uncritical spectator assume that it's about destroying the male, thus centering on "fashionable politics," and not about the extent to which the female is still being destroyed (by the male, by the norms of patriarchal society). about the unspoken, the unspeakable—the western societal complicity—that the female needs to be destroyed to reappropriate her ability to be heard. promising young woman is about the female voice that needs to die to be heard. as such, it was, in all its manneristic, disorienting eclecticity, a breath of fresh air—that needs to be inhaled (by the next generations) and hailed (by the current critics).
A roller coaster of emotions, screen play is amazing and the script is tight.
One of the best movies I've seen in quite a while.
1 / 2 directing & technical aspect
.5 / 1 story
.5 / 1 act I
.5 / 1 act II
1 / 1 act III
1 / 1 acting
.5 / 1 writing
1 / 1 originality
0 / 1 lasting ability to make you think
0 / 0 misc
6 / 10
I don't think Emerald Fennell knew what she was trying to say with this movie.
Graag movie, lots of unpredictable parts. That’s hard to pull off these days. Definitely recommend movie to watch. 8/10.
WOW!! There is simply nothing I can say about the plot of this movie that won’t mislead you or give away its trajectory. It’s uncomfortable, unpredictable, inevitable and intense. It will be a different experience depending on your gender and intensely evocative for 81% of women. Be prepared! Carrie Mulligan is superb in this role. She defies chronology. I give this film an 8 (evocative) out of 10. [Thriller, Drama]
I'd never heard of this, so had no expectations.
At times, the story wasn't that original, but it was understated and clever.
Don't be put off but the stupid movie cover - this movie is a gem !
A good movie, I was so excited because of the reviews, just low your expectationsa and It will work fine.
Could have been much better, but it's not so bad. The soundtrack instead is almost top class! Shines! A 'mismatch'...
I was expecting this to be more murdery - but it was not. And that was fine. I think not being all maimy and murdery actually made this a better movie.
Of course, a lot of questions are left unanswered, and somehow I didn't mind.
The ending was a little unexpected.
How I rate:
1-3 :heart: = seriously! don't waste your time
4-6 :heart: = you may or may not enjoy this
7-8 :heart: = I expect you will like this too
9-10 :heart: = movies and TV shows I really love!
Disguised as a black comedy, Emerald Fennell's debut raises very interesting questions about sexist superiority. Especially when the bullies are reflected in the female mirror, when the victim becomes an executioner. Some details show the insolence of the harassment (the workers), whose guilt is not exclusively male (the blow job lips makeup tutorial). Revenge blames the witnesses as well as the assailants.
An important film with twists and a point, if not enjoyable. Challenges fundamental notions about male identity and privilege.
It was a great!! The ending was really good, I just wish there was MORE of and ending after that. SPOILER QUESTIONS Like, what happened when they arrested him? What happened to the case after they found Cassie's body? Did Daddy manage to cover it all up? Did Jackass Joe actually manage to run away? I NEED ANSWERS!!!
A pretty solid must-see, but going ob the trailer, the expectation was really that of a more black-comedy revenge film in the vein of Hard Candy.
Definitely still worth the watch, but would advise managing expectations.
I Loved this movie. Pacing was excellent, the cast was fantastic (Laverne Cox, Alison Brie, Carey Mulligan...the list goes on!) and the dark twists and turns kept you entertained throughout. Ok sure some of the plot lines were a little unbelievable but overall the concept and realization was a success. Yay Emerald for a fantastic debut (and a cheeky cameo too :wink:).
This movie is a punch in the guts. And that ending!!
Pretty good, enjoyed the watch. Provides what it shows in the trailer, solid 8.
That was a decent film, enjoyed every second of it and that ending was very unexpected...great performance from cary mulligan..
Well worth the absolute AGE that I waited to see it. That final act really took me on a rollercoaster.
Great movie, even the controversial ending, I really enjoyed watching it. PS: Carey's performance is brilliant
i love when women. it's completely predictable only because i've maybe thought of doing what she did many times. the ending though was very... sad yet satisfying.
A whiplash of genres, Promising Young Woman is as unpredictable as its protagonist, a woman hell bent on seeking vengeance for her best friend. Surprising and thought provoking, a complete romantic-comedy-thriller-horror.
Review by SimoVIP 2BlockedParent2021-01-01T22:03:13Z
Amazing,Unpredictable! Watching it was a roller coaster of emotions,sometimes the movie is a dark comedy , after that a romantic comedy, the next minute a revenge thriller, It's tonal shifts made me laught,cry,angry,fearful,happy and eventually made me think a lot about the ending , i think it's going to be devisive between people.But for me it worked and when i play the movie in my head and what this character has been dealing with in her life i think it fits perfectly.I felt satisfied
The subject matter we're dealing with here is very challenging to adress in a movie and Emerald Fennell(writer and first time director) is not afraid of exposing all the parties involved when something like that happen and how everyone involved could deal with it , she knocked it out of the park.
Carey Mulligan gives what i think migt be the best performance of her career , i really hope she could snag an Oscar nomination
She killed it as Cassandra this young woman with a tragic past who's on a journey of her own trying avenge what happened to her , perfectly casted here and i wouldn't imagine someone else taking that role.
You don't really know how to feel about her like sometimes she's likable and funny , the next minute she goes dark and very serious and frightening , those shift personnalities were well executed! The cast was great too , everyone nailed their part really !
The movie does not answer eveything that happened , there a times you wonder what happened to that guy and what happened to that woman because they don't show you so you make your own image of the events or you trust Cassandra's word's which i very much liked, it leaves you making you own assumption for some parts.
Overall, the movie is well directed , the writing is so strong here and a screenplay oscar nomination is very plausible and it's just very a beautiful movie to watch , the colours the cinematography, the sets, it's like you're in a candy world , the soundtarck is great and the use of music was on point .
This movie is ambitious and important and i don't think it will be forgotten by people , it just needs time to grow .