Guillermo Del Toro is a filmmaker known for his knack for grotesque costumes, horrifying props, dark themes, and knowledge of folklore and fairy tales. From Pan’s Labyrinth to The Shape of Water, Del Toro is a distinctive filmmaker with a very unique style! Although it has been a while since he released his last film, The Shape of Water, he has spent that time learning and honing his craft and he’s created another dark tale with Nightmare Alley.
Bradley Cooper plays Stan Carlisle, a shady character who spends the first ten minutes of the film in silence. It should be noted that Del Toro did state that Nightmare Alley is different from his previous works with this film being his first time dabbling in the film noir genre, and it is also the first film he’s directed without any fantasy elements. The darkness is still engraved into the essence of Nightmare Alley though. Stan Carlisle has a dark path which we learn more about throughout the course of the film.
From the start, he is a small fish in a vast ocean as he discovers a Carnival within a bus ride out of town. This Carnival is host to various people all referred to as “geeks” and has interesting features such as super-strength or the power to harness electricity. As the story progresses Stan learns about mentalism and he harnesses the knowledge that he gains at the Carnival to use on unsuspecting clients within the city, essentially becoming a shady con artist. It is here where the film really picks up as Stan becomes a big fish within a small pond.
The scenes set in the Carnival are usual Del Toro flare, with some interesting imagery and with some stand-out practical set designs. Bradley Cooper hypnotises us, the audience, and captures our attention from the outset and he lures us into this murky world of Carny culture. Rooney Mara plays Molly whom Stan starts feeling affectionate towards. The romance between them isn’t fully explored, but their relationship in the city brings out Stan’s true colours. It is here where Stan meets Dr. Lillith Ritter, played excellently by Cate Blanchett, and as they introduce themselves they hatch a scheme that targets a wealthy individual with a con that could bring them both a lot of money. To say any more would be spoiling the story.
You never know where the story is going and usually, this is a sign of mismanaged writing, but here this story device is used rather effectively. The camera is constantly on Stan and although he is a man of very few words he uses his chosen words very well with the art of persuasion and manipulation. The script and writing are very well-paced and other characters also shine such as Willem Dafoe’s Clem who guides us through the carnival at the beginning of the film. The story is based on a novel and I haven’t read the original source material but as the ending draws you in you do get that feeling that this film is an adaption of some sort.
★★★★☆
4/5
Nightmare Alley is full of little surprises and strong performances. The film is like a rabbit hole and the more you watch the further you go as the story draws you in minute-by-minute. Bradley Cooper is charismatic as always and with Del Toro directing you know you’re in for a treat. Nightmare Alley feels like a classic in the making and it definitely warrants a watch on the big screen and it will be interesting to see how Del Toro tops himself from this fantastic but dark tale in the future.
Thanks for reading today’s blog!
Alex Murray, the Head of Eyesight Productions
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