REVIEW: Nightmare Alley

If you’re looking for an unsettling, intriguing story about a 1940s huckster who claims to have a connection to the spiritual world, look no further than this weird and wild film by Guillermo del Torro.

Based on the 1947 novel of the same name by William Lindsay Grisham, this art house-style thriller is one of the most intense and enthralling I’ve seen this year.

Bradley Cooper delivers his best performance since Silver Linings Playbook (2012), portraying a suave and handsome carnival worker named Stanton Carlisle who carries with him a dark secret. Cooper’s acting is spot-on, evoking a strange concoction of unease, suspicion and quiet exhilaration with every line, drawing in his audience like a hunter slyly trapping his prey through a false sense of security. It’s magnificent, and Oscar-nom worthy.

Likewise, Cate Blanchett is remarkable, with a skilled portrayal of psychologist Lilith Ritter. Her acting plays well off that of Cooper’s, but her performance alone deepens the narrative and the horrors of the seedy world in which Blanchett’s character is enveloped.

The supporting cast is all around excellent, with particularly strong performances from Willem Dafoe, Toni Collette, and Richard Jenkins. Rooney Mara also has stellar moments, especially when playing opposite Cooper.

This isn’t my typical fare, but it worked in a unique way because the plot and the acting were both strong. The cinematography in this film is remarkable and interesting, but the writing at times feels a bit uneven, particularly in act two. The ending, too, feels sudden and a bit rushed, but at the same time fulfilling.

This movie isn’t for everyone, but if it pulls you in early on, you’re in for a twisted (and at times bloody, gory) trip. It’s exactly the type of movie most would expect from del Toro, and that’s not a bad thing here.

The bottom line: Suspenseful and occasionally gory, this movie is a weird, worthwhile trip for those who love thrillers. 8/10