Reviews

The things we’d do for love. Separate the egg yolk from the white. Clean after her. Make sure she feels good and loved. Scrub off your brother in law’s blood from the walls. Cover up a murder for her? After making its debut at Sundance Film Festival, ‘Love Lies Bleeding’ made an additional appearance at the Berlinale. Rose Glass is no stranger to the Berlinale. Seven years ago, she participated in the Berlinale Talents summit as a writer and director. This time her new film is part of the Panorama section at the film festival. The film unfolds the story of Jackie (Katy O’Brian), an aspiring bodybuilder en route to a Las Vegas competition. Before she can compete, she stumbles upon a small town in New Mexico and falls in love with Lou (Kristen Stewart), the manager of a local gym. What sounds like the beginning of a love story quickly turns into a violent tale of passion, crime, and unforeseen consequences. The film thrives in its unpredictable narrative: From gory scenes in living rooms to Kristen Stewart dragging a body down her apartment’s porch in broad daylight. The film hits you with one element after the other without it getting too much to handle.There was not one moment of boredom in Rose Glass’ beautifully queer noir thriller. In its center is a story of love. The aspect of gore and the crimes themselves seem  incredibly secondary. The audience is so hooked on the couple ever since they laid eyes on one another. “Love Lies Bleeding” offers a mesmerizing Sound Design by Paul Davies. It’s being used as a motif to direct the narrative seamlessly throughout the entire movie. Loud Gunshots, the cracking of bones or the eerie spurts of muscle growth serve as transitions to pull the audience right from one scene into the other. In the age of streaming, it’s easy to wait for the VOD to be released, but this film’s sound was created for an intense and breathtaking theatrical experience, so unless you’re particularly jumpy, we recommend watching this one on the big screen to get the full effect.   The chemistry between Kristen Stewart’s Lou and Katy O’Brien’s Jacky ignites the screen with palpable intensity, particularly during the film’s steamy romantic encounters. The sex scenes are sizzling. Their love blossoms amongst chaos.  Stewart has effortless charisma and coolness. Demonstrating her expansive rage in acting while O’Brien seems radiating every time she is seen on screen. Making these two characters fully their own.  ‘Love Lies Bleeding’ is a nostalgic, thrilling ride from start to finish, offering an intoxicating mix of dark humor, revenge-fantasies and desire, packed into a rich, pulpy story filled with countless unexpected twists and surreal-esque elements.  Love Lies Bleeding is set to hit US theaters on March 8 and UK theaters on April 19 (courtesy of Lionsgate). Image credits: Anna Kooris & A24