It wasn’t too long ago when cinephiles were trapped at home, under the fear of the COVID-19 pandemic. With nowhere to go, film became a sanctuary and a time for the discovery of new artists within the industry. One of the new voices in film was Rose Glass, with her debut film, Saint Maud. An unsettling, shocking ride that journeys into the mind of possession in an untraditional fashion. A debut that left cinephiles questioning their ideas of faith and one’s life purpose. Not only was it one of the best horror films of 2021, but also one of A24’s best.
As the calendar turned to 2024, not only was there a new slate of films to be excited for, but also the return of Rose Glass. The best part? It was not a long wait, as her second film, Love Lies Bleeding, was set to debut at the Sundance Film Festival. With glowing reviews and an electric trailer coming out of the festival, the excitement was surely rising.
To the surprise of no one, Love Lies Bleeding offers a three-set workout of brutality, blood, and romance. A thrill ride that not only captures a gnarly underworld in a unique and visionary fashion but is also rich with sex appeal. With her follow-up to Saint Maud, Rose Glass delivers a fearless and unapologetic cinematic romp that’s surely set to attain a following upon its release.
What exactly is Love Lies Bleeding about? The film follows Lou (Kristen Stewart) and Jackie (Katy O’Brian), a reclusive gym manager and bodybuilder who is hitchhiking her way to the dream of competing in Las Vegas. When the two meet, a flame of passion and love ignites, and with that ignition, an array of blood and guts follow as Jackie comes in contact with Lou’s past and her family’s criminal underworld.
Writer/Director Rose Glass and co-writer Weronika Tofilska’s screenplay is dynamite, as the duo creates a visceral romance that weaves through the underbelly of the criminal enterprise in precise and effective fashion. Rather than leaning on exposition, the duo’s script sprinkles “cookie crumbs” throughout the film that makes every reveal feel earned and warranted. With every clue that’s unlocked, a piece of both Lou and Jackie unfolds, which aids in the bond the duo build throughout the film.
Aiding the brilliant screenplay are the powerhouse performances by Academy Award nominee Kristen Stewart and Katy O’Brian. Stewart and O’Brian are a tandem to die for, as their infectious chemistry oozes off the screen. While O’Brian gives an intimidating physical take, Stewart is calculating and cerebral, which lends both of these fierce women a commanding presence on screen.
On the supporting side, Dave Franco and Ed Harris offer their own unique brand of quirk, as the two play two of the most despicable characters of the year thus far. Harris is menacing and fear-inducing, while Franco lays his comedic quips into a character that’s easy to despise.
The aesthetic of Love Lies Bleeding is an ’80s palette of red glow and filter that captures not just the era but the look and feel of crime dramas of yesteryear. Ben Fordesman’s lens is exceptional as the gritty vibe is captured along with the awe-inducing imagery Rose Glass has become known for throughout her first two films.
With an ’80s soundtrack that would fit in any cinephile’s Spotify or Apple Music rotation and a Clint Mansell score that evokes glimpses of his Requiem for a Dream days, the film’s music is the cherry on top of an exceptional cinematic experience.
Love Lies Bleeding is a pulpy twist on romance and crime that removes the mundane and embraces its eccentricity and originality to become one of the best films of the year thus far. After Saint Maud, Rose Glass became a name to be on the lookout for. With Love Lies Bleeding, Glass cements her place as one of the brightest filmmakers working today.
