Synopsis:
Everyone said Cassie (Carey Mulligan) was a promising young woman … until a mysterious event abruptly derailed her future. But nothing in Cassie’s life is what it appears to be: she’s wickedly smart, tantalizingly cunning, and she’s living a secret double life by night. Now, an unexpected encounter is about to give Cassie a chance to right the wrongs of the past in this thrilling and wildly entertaining story.
We live in a society that is constantly evolving. From technology to interpersonal interactions, as we listen, learn, and change, we create a better future. Unfortunately, not everyone is willing to put forth the effort into becoming a better version of themselves or relinquish habits and actions that we now understand are detrimental to others and their futures. One of our biggest social movements in recent years that resulted in social evolution has been the #MeToo movement. Bringing to the forefront a history of sexism and misogyny that has been grotesquely embedded into our culture since it’s inception, the movement was women and allies being fed up. Reinforcing what shouldn’t have had to be explained, that a woman’s worth is not simply her looks or her body, she is an entire person that should be respected and treated equally. So keep your hands to your damn self. Once brought to light, it forced us, men and women, to take a step back and re-evaluate and atone for our thoughts and actions of past and present in order to do better going forward. However, not everyone has been too keen on making changes. In fact, some have doubled down and made excuses instead of taking accountability.
In her directorial debut, Emerald Fennell’s Promising Young Woman, vengeance is taken to a whole other level. This quintessential post-MeToo era film is profoundly unexpected and gleefully unpredictable. Not only is this one of the best films of the year but also features one of the best performances. The film is well written and extremely thought out. While its subject matter may be touchy for some, it doesn’t point the finger at any one particular group but instead shows us how we all may have potentially been complicit whether we knew it or not. It’s messaging is masterfully delivered as the film can be viewed as a dark comedy, therefore, making its commentary extremely palatable. It’s a film that I didn’t know I needed and one that must be seen. This film has it all, drama, romance, revenge, humor, and a dark side. Fennell easily could’ve made this a slasher film but instead of focusing on violence, she made sure her message is received. The characters are nuanced with some subtleties only being noticeable after a second watch, and it’s definitely worth multiple viewings. The soundtrack is perfect, especially the eerie flip of Britney Spears’ Toxic that is reminiscent of the horror transformation of I Got 5 On It by Luniz that was featured in 2019s Us. If Fennell’s future work in any way resembles Promising Young Woman and its seamless storytelling, she has a permanent fan in me. With its intense and unforeseeable climax, vibrant and creative scenes and design, and the impact it will have, there is never a dull moment. Overall, Promising Young Woman is a fantastic film. Its rewatchability is high.
Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features
Plot & Pace
When life, and by life I mean the assholes in it, decides to present Cassie with its ugliest side, it tremendously changes the trajectory of her existence. Deciding not to be a victim, she instead decides to go on the offensive. Once a promising medical student, she now uses her keen intellect and cunning to take back the power that was stolen. After having an unexpected exchange, Cassie now has an opportunity to let it all go and start on a new path or finish what she has started.
The pacing is perfect. I honestly don’t know how it could be enhanced. It starts and ends bang with no dull moments in between.
Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features
Characters & Chemistry
While the film features an amazing cast, Laverne Cox, Bo Burnham, Alison Brie, Clancy Brown, Jennifer Coolidge, and others; Carey Mulligan, its star, is brilliant and outshines the rest. Mulligan’s performance as Cassie gives the film its vibrant lifeforce. She is fierce, enthralling, cunning, and a character that you want to root for. There is a level of effortlessness that Mulligan brings to the character as she flexes her acting prowess. She again proves why she is one of the best actors of today.
Promising Young Woman releases in theaters on Christmas day. Enjoy and stay safe.
Director: Emerald Fennell
Writer: Emerald Fennell
Rated: R
Runtime: 1h 53m
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Senior Critic. Observing the human race since 1988.
