Guillermo del Toro’s newest film Nightmare Alley is a darkly-twisted look into morality and social class in a way that has never quite been done before. This is exactly what I expected from the film but somehow it still completely differed from my expectations in the best possible way. I was waiting for something like an evil supernatural carny hiding in the Fun House waiting to gobble Bradley Cooper up, but alas all of the horror in this film comes straight from human nature and our tendencies to lean into the dark a little more than we sometimes should. Had I known this going in I think I would’ve had a different experience watching this movie, as I was just sitting there for 2 hours and 20 minutes wondering what was the point of this film?? What are we watching this for? Until THAT scene. Y’all know the one. The last one. The last scene of this movie where Bradley Cooper did the best acting he’s ever done?? Yeah, THAT ONE. And I was purely, as the kids say, “shook.”
This film is a slow burn, and that certainly is not everyone’s cup of tea, but if the payoff is worth the wait in the end then I can absolutely get behind a slow burn.Nightmare Alley details the story of Stan, a loner looking for work who ultimately gets mixed up into the carnival crowd–a decision that will forever alter the trajectory of his life as he gets swept up into a life of manipulation and deceit. Pushed to the brink to keep up with those around him, he soon parlays his newly-discovered talent for manipulating people into a toxic cesspool of money and success, the ultimate downfall caused only by his own refusal to consider people’s feelings and the consequences his wrongdoings could have. Essentially, that is the plot of this movie and there’s not too much else to it. The runtime is long but instead of using the 150 minutes to tell story, del Toro delves into the deep and dastardly minds a few cruel and cunning characters.
Although I was enjoying this movie the whole time I was watching it, there was a small part of my brain getting a little antsy about where this was going or why I should care. All I can say is I should’ve trusted del Toro and I will never doubt the man again. His mind people, HIS. MIND. He intricately yields this dark story of greed and deception with careful intention, rich characters and stunning imagery that will not soon be forgotten. Cooper is the standout here as he plays 3 different versions of Stan throughout the film (humble carny, arrogant and deceitful, literal carnival geek) and transitions into all three arcs with magnificent ease. His charm and charisma ooze through the screen in a way that really highlights Cooper as one of the most watchable actors of this generation. This is Cooper’s all-time best performance in my opinion, and the fact that he was robbed of an Oscar nomination is truly sickening!
Of course I have to talk about the other shining star of this movie, Oscar Winner and Perfect Icon Cate Blanchett as Doctor Lillith Ritter who really ate up the second half of this film and left no crumbs. Of course Blanchett is always incredible but she really stands out here–I could not take my eyes off of her every time she was on screen. Everything about the performance just exudes power and confidence in a way that I have not seen many other actresses do. By the time I got to the end of the film and the big twist was revealed, I could not stop screaming about how iconic Ms. Lillith is. The combination of quiet watchfulness mixed with calculating coolness breathes chilling life into the second half and keeps the momentum going through what could’ve been a slog. The sheer determination to get one over on a man who thought he was so smart, the months and months she spent planting seeds to ensure his downfall, the absolutely coldness she serves when confronting Stan with the truth. Truly just magnificent in every way and worthy of an Oscar nomination in my eyes. Cooper and Blanchett together are magical and my favorite part of this film were the scenes with them. Can we get a Cooper/Blanchett RomCom next please?????
I would be remiss not to mention the supporting cast, who are literally all so good (with the exception of Rooney Mara, who I thought seemed bored and miscast in this role–sorry to drag you Rooney). Toni Collette does the best she can with a small role and was still memorable (as always), Willem Dafoe was wonderfully and whimsically spooky as Clem, and Richard Jenkins gives us desperation and despair in the tragic role of Ezra Grindle. There was not one bad performance in this movie and although most had small parts besides the leads, everyone was doing the most to ensure a quality film across the board.
The last thing I must mention is the production design–literally every single part of it. The carnival scenes were stunning, the set piece of Lillith’s office was perfect, mysterious yet serious and somehow exuding an air of impending doom, the mansion and woods at the end of the last act. Not only were the sets to die for but the cinematography was so easy on the eyes. I truly never wanted to take my eyes off the screen.
Overall, yes it’s true that this movie ~could~ have been shorter. While I was watching it, this was all I could think about. Yet when I got to the end, and that full circle moment was revealed, I absolutely understood why they took such care of the time provided, to give us all the backstory, all the drama, so that moment payed off. In my opinion, it was paid off and then some. You have to be a fan of the slow burn to enjoy this film, but I promise if those types of movies are up your (nightmare) alley then this is one film to absolutely check out.
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