In a desolate New Mexico desert town simmering under the 1980s sun, “Love Lies Bleeding” unfolds an intense narrative twining around the lives of Lou, a lesbian gym manager portrayed by Kristen Stewart, and Jackie, an ambitious female bodybuilder played by Katy O’Brian. These characters embark on a perilous journey of passion and self-destruction, enveloped in a narrative that marries queer experiences with a noir aesthetic reminiscent of cinema greats such as Ridley Scott and the Coen brothers.
Rose Glass, who stunned audiences with her debut “Saint Maud,” directs this sizzling sophomore effort, while also co-writing with Weronika Tofilska. Together, they craft a film that revels in the queer experience and intertwines elements of horror, creating a viewing experience that gyrates between genres with an electrifying unpredictability similar to O’Brian’s performance-enhanced physical prowess.
The film’s centerpiece—Lou’s character, brought to life by the enthralling Kristen Stewart, channels a deeply complex internal struggle. Stewart, already acclaimed for her multifaceted performances across an array of genres, confirms her versatility here with a character that radiates both vulnerability and intensity. With an enigmatically fractured delivery, Stewart captivates viewers, reinforcing her reputation as one of her generation’s standout talents.
In contrast and yet in complement to Stewart, Katy O’Brian’s Jackie is raw and passionate, her relentless pursuit of perfection a catalyst for catastrophe. The dynamic between the two protagonists deepens as their story progresses, with O’Brian delivering a fierce performance that oscillates between the characters’ intense connection and the toll of an extreme regimen fueled by steroids.
The singular visual style of the film is punctuated by cinematographer Ben Fordesman’s intimate frames, capturing gyms drenched in sweat and the pulsing sinews of relentless ambition. The chiaroscuro of muscle and shadow plays out like a twisted ballet under Fordesman’s adept lens. Editor Mark Towns incessantly drives forward the film’s visceral rhythm, making the blending of tension, horror, and romance seamlessly potent. Complementing this is the work of Clint Mansell, a veteran composer whose haunting score envelops the film in an atmosphere that is both ethereal and unnerving.
With Glass at the helm, the audience can expect the transfiguration of pain and pleasure from mere sensations to something cinematic and symbolic. Much like Maud’s pursuit of penance through self-inflicted pain, Jackie’s adage of “no pain, no gain” becomes a testament to the extreme, spiraling into a grotesque tapestry of muscle and psyche.
Glass’s unashamed portrayal of queer love is what lends the film its unique luster. With uncensored ardor and references to the ‘80s queer cultural scene, “Love Lies Bleeding” stands as a tribute to the defiant spirit of queer rebellion. Cinematic and provocative, the film does not shy away from the era’s sultriness, offering impassioned montages that resonate with the vibrancy and rawness of retro erotica.
As the narrative cascades towards its compelling climax, audiences are treated to a duel with a sinister cult figure played by Ed Harris, leading to an electrifying dénouement that echoes the daredevil escape of the characters akin to the iconic Thelma and Louise.
In sum, “Love Lies Bleeding” artfully deceives as a romance-thriller. Yet, it faithfully carries the signature of Rose Glass—one of the contemporary cinema’s most innovative voices in horror. The film is a masterful confluence of desire, terror, and existential musings that will leave viewers both shaken and stirred. It dares to expose the underbelly of admiration and ambition, shining brightly as an ode to the harrowing and the beautiful in its rawest forms.
“Love Lies Bleeding” is currently captivating audiences at theatres, inviting them into a world of tumultuous passions and chilling landscapes of the human heart. Both dedicated cinema aficionados and newcomers to Glass’s craft will find themselves spellbound by the harrowing, haunting beauty of this unorthodox film.
