After dropping in theaters back in the spring, A24’s pulpy romantic revenge tale, Love Lies Bleeding, made its debut on Max over the weekend. This film stirred up quite the buzz several months ago, but I never got around to seeing it in the theater. I noticed that it got an honorable mention on Brandon’s ‘best of the year so far‘ list last week, and that reminded me of the hype all over again. So, I was stoked to hear that it would be streaming. In fact, I cleared my schedule Friday night just to sit down with a gin and tonic and watch it. In one of the rare cases where the product lives up to the hype, it didn’t disappoint.
From a stylistic perspective, Love Lies Bleeding is my kind of flick – dark, gritty, imaginative, well-acted, well-written, well-shot, you name it. The film checks a lot of boxes that make me feel that I’m consuming art and not just something produced from IP to make money. I mean, come on…how can you get those haunting shots of Ed Harris with a skullet showered in red light out of your head? It’s fantastic work. For me, the best part of this film is the intensity with which our two main characters love and lust for one another. Make no mistake about it – this is a steamy movie. I’m sure there’s a timeline in the multiverse where this thing takes a turn and just becomes full-on erotica, and I’m okay with that. I hope that timeline’s version of Stoney is enjoying it. But, it gives the film a risk-it-all level of desperation that it would otherwise lack. The tension between Lou (Kristen Stewart) and Jackie (Katy O’Brian) is palpable from the moment Lou sees Jackie in the gym for the first time. Their passion for one another shines through in the fierce performances from O’Brian and Stewart. They really put the ‘hot’ in ‘hot mess’ – thank you, I’ll see myself out.
But, it is that fire that burns brightly between the two that gives Love Lies Bleeding a real soul beyond the style. Rose Glass made a stellar sophomore effort after 2019’s Saint Maud. I never caught that one because I can’t do possession shit or I won’t sleep for a month. If you want a glimpse inside my twisted mind, I had a weird dream after watching The Exorcism of Emily Rose and haven’t been able to handle it since. But, I did read the Wikipedia plot and it does sound like it’s quite my speed. Glass has a clear creative vision and maybe not all is what it appears to be. To me, that vision is what makes this film special. To others, it’s just not their cup of tea. The main criticism I saw from those that didn’t like it was just how off the rails the final five minutes of the film get. If we’re to take it at face value, sure, I get your gripe. But, sometimes, we need to remind ourselves as moviegoers that what we see isn’t necessarily what we get at all times. Without spoiling anything, I found the ending to be a beautiful metaphor for how Lou and Jackie are feeling in that moment. And, hey – if you have seen it and didn’t like it, feel free to email/DM me and we can talk this out in a way that doesn’t spoil it for everyone.
There’s no doubt that Glass takes a big swing with Love Lies Bleeding. For me, it paid off as one of the year’s best and boldest films so far. I only have Civil War ranked ahead of it right now, and there’s a sizable gap after those two movies (based just off of what I’ve seen this year so far). Don’t forget – it’s streaming on Max now. I’d recommend making time for the slow-burning story, shut your windows so the neighbors can’t see in, and be ready for a cigarette once it’s over.
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Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley.
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