By Daniel Ogas
Olivia Wilde’s second feature film, “Don’t Worry Darling,” soared above Hollywood’s unified slander.
After weeks of endless reports of a chaotic production, the film proved that the artistry within the walls of a major motion picture can outweigh the media speculation behind toxic A-List drama.
“Don’t Worry Darling” was one of few films to opt for a traditional theatrical release amid the rising trend of being released directly to streaming services. It is likely that the movie will be available on HBO Max later this year, although Warner Bros. has yet to confirm an official date.
The psychological thriller took us into a 1950s idealistic suburban community called Victory. In Victory, the men work for a secret company led by Frank, played by Chris Pine, and reside with their wives within the compounds while promising that their work will change the world.
The presence of Harry Styles, who played Jack Chambers, allowed for a massive sense of star power that brought in an audience. However, the exquisite performance by Florence Pugh, who played Alice Chambers, was the reason the audience stayed in their seats till the credits began rolling.
Pugh encompassed the role of Alice from the first frame and kept a constant hold on her character in a way that made it impossible for an audience to look away.
When fellow housewife Margaret encourages others in the community to question why they are there, Alice proceeds with a soft sense of caution. While other women like Bunny, played by Wilde, see Margaret as someone who has lost her mind, and they insist that questioning their situation is pointless and harmful to their husbands’ jobs. Jobs in which all of the wives know nothing about.
However, when Alice begins to question Victory, a plot twist arrives that overpowers the entire existence of the utopian community.
As Director, Wilde captured a sense of perfection within the Victory community that seems too good to be true, even for the big screen. The film was able to beautifully captivate perfection in a way that is desirable, yet simply does not exist.
The movie demanded consistent attention with a unique thought process to be able to follow the storyline in its entirety. However, it was done in a way that allowed the audience to want nothing more than to be glued in the entire time.
The film scored a major victory (no pun intended) at the box office, having no trouble taking the top spot raking in $19.2 million.
Through this uncertain period in regard to the validity of a traditional theatrical release of a major blockbuster, Wilde proved that the powerful experience of moviegoing not only continues to exist but is alive and well with a bright future to look forward to.
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