Film review: Love Lies Bleeding (15) - seen at The Light Cinema, Wisbech
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Katy O’Brian and Ed Harris
Run time: One hour, 44 minutes Director: Rose Glass
Love Lies Bleeding is British director Rose Glass’ second feature film and is a very impressive effort as she gives us a stylistic violent thriller seeped in an 80s aesthetic.
The movie follows introverted gym manager Lou (Kristen Stewart) as she meets feisty bodybuilder Jackie (Katy O’Brian), with the two falling for each other fast.
As Jackie gets involved with a combination of Lou’s shady dad (Ed Harris) and steroid use the film flips from quite the slow burn to a hypnotically violent fever dream reminiscent of grindhouse classics.
It is tonally brilliant with an almost greasy, grimy look extenuating the bodybuilders and close shots of bulging muscles and pulsing veins bringing some almost grotesqueness to the New Mexico gym setting.
This is furthered by the squelching and groaning noises as part of the sound design which only emphasises the great visual choices.
The time period is also driven home by the synth-fuelled soundtrack, bringing a brilliant cohesion to the film and leaving the viewer feeling immersed even during its more outlandish, fever dream-like sequences.
The acting performances are also excellent throughout, with Kirsten Stewarts standing out particularly as she portrays the secluded and mysterious Lou as her life slowly unravels, displaying a brilliant, paranoid character in a collected performance.
Overall, this movie is extremely enjoyable, getting you invested in all of its characters and immersed in it world the whole time with its impressive visual style.
Rating: 8/10
By Alfie Ransome
