An atmospheric, bloated thriller
The film starts out ominously enough, with a woman being abducted and then killed. It’s a dark and suspenseful opener that sets the tone for the rest of the film. But as the story progresses, it becomes increasingly convoluted and convoluted in ways that are hard to follow. The ending is also a bit of a letdown, as it feels like there was more potential for this film to be great than it actually is.
The ride is helped somewhat by the gorgeous set design and excellent acting, and Guillermo Del Toro’s name alone will be enough to entice people into the theaters. Given the story we actually receive for all this effort, I can’t say the 2 hour 20 minute run-time makes it all that worthwhile. This could easily have shaved 30 minutes off the run-time and lost nothing.
As we follow Stan through his day, we see the struggles he faces as he tries to make sense of his past and find a way forward. His interactions with the other characters in the carnival help us understand how difficult it is for him to find a place where he can be himself. The story is full of suspense and mystery, and it leaves us feeling both scared and excited for what Stan will do next.
After learning more about the carnival and the gnarly little secrets they hold, courtesy of the slimy Clem, Stan starts to become ambitious and sets his sights on greener pastures. Helped along by fellow carny Molly, Stan begins to see the light at the end of the tunnel. ..
Molly promises Stan the world and begins learning the tricks of the trade, namely clairvoyance courtesy of Zeena and her partner Pete. Stan begins to see things that others cannot, and learns how to use his clairvoyance to help people in their lives.
Stan is a character who starts to lose control as he begins to unravel the secrets of his life. He begins to question who he can trust and whether he is going too far with his performance. ..
However, there are also some negatives to Nightmare Alley. One of the biggest problems is that it often feels like a movie set in a dark and dreary world. This can be a bit of a turnoff for some viewers, as it can make the story feel less exciting. Additionally, the acting is often poor, and the film’s overall tone can be quite somber.
The carnival is a great place to go for a fun day of entertainment. It has all the sideshow acts and little graphical details that make it an amazing experience. The office in Nightmare Alley is also very well designed, making it one of the most interesting places to visit.
The film’s slow pacing is a major deterrent, and in my movie theater, two people walked out and another was checking the time every once in a while.
This film feels like it’s lulling you to sleep though, until suddenly it whiplashes into a frenetic final act that, by ironic comparison, is over far too quickly.
The twist in this psychological thriller is well written and designed to be pretty shocking, with some beautiful foreshadowing early on. However, anyone who’s familiar with psychological thrillers like this will see the twists coming a mile off.
The ending scene in “The Shape of Water” is a major offender because it spends so much time and energy on one point and doesn’t really develop the rest of the story.
Bradley Cooper is the star of Nightmare Alley and his portrayal of Stan Carlisle is excellent. His diverse range of emotions is very well-done and this makes for some powerful scenes. Cate Blanchett also has a great chemistry with Cooper and their scenes are very enjoyable to watch. ..
The musical score in “The Witch” is one of the film’s more underrated elements. Composed by Nathan Johnson, it’s easily one of the film’s highlights. The unnerving string segments, alongside the minor-key piano give off a serious amount of chill, with the main motif repeated throughout the film’s long run-time. ..
Del Toro’s films often explore dark and heavy topics, but Nightmare Alley feels like it’s more about the characters and their struggles than anything else. The film is full of heart-wrenching moments, but it never feels exploitative or over-the-top.
Nightmare Alley is a 2 and a half hour noir thriller that could have been great with tighter editing during the slow burn opening. This thriller could have been punchy and psychological if it had shorter runtime. ..
The acting is good and the visuals are beautiful, but Nightmare Alley is unlikely to be a fairground ride you’ll return to in a hurry - nor one this reviewer would recommend checking out in the cinema soon. ..
