Don`t Worry Darling

Alice (Florence Pugh) and Jack (Harry Styles) are a real model couple. Their happiness is perfected when Jack gets a job at the top-secret Victory Project from charismatic CEO Frank (Chris Pine). Now the couple lives in the utopian community of Victory in the middle of the desert. Filled with the social optimism of the 1950s, the residents feel like they're in paradise. While the men pursue their mysterious work, the women can enjoy the many amenities of the settlement. The perfect image is cracked when Alice witnesses one of her neighbors attempting to take her own life. From that moment on, mysterious things reveal themselves to her, putting Alice in a precarious position: Does she really want to find out what it is about the Victory Project that could destroy her happiness with Jack?

"Don`t Worry Darling" is the latest directorial effort from actress Olivia Wilde, who also stars here in a supporting role. Her mystery thriller with feminist undertones is especially convincing with its set and great camera work, which create a very special atmosphere. You are carried away by this from the beginning, even if there may be some lengths and inconsistencies here and there. The whole thing is carried by a more than convincing acting Florence Pugh, who skillfully creates the transformation from the cliché of the 50s model housewife to a strong fighter for her right to the truth.

Overall, the film is somewhat reminiscent of an overlong episode of the series "Black Mirror". This is matched by the resolution, which isn't bad, but isn't quite as surprising or original as Olivia Wilde obviously had in mind. Her direction is convincing over long stretches, but seems a bit overwhelmed, especially towards the end. This is a pity, because the structure of the story, thanks to the great ensemble and the great visual realization of the seemingly idyllic settlement, leads us to expect a crackerjack finale. And this is unfortunately only offered to a limited extent - even if some aspects can be puzzled over and discussed for a long time after the end.

"Don`t Worry Darling" is on balance a decent mystery thriller with many exciting ideas, but also with some weaknesses in script and direction. Nevertheless, if you like mysteries, if you love films with twists in the style of M. Night Shyamalan or if you appreciate entertainment cinema with feminist undertones, you should definitely give this work a chance. Worth seeing!

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp