New feature film by Rose Glass for A24 brings intensity, love and couples to the surface
By Eduardo de Assumpção*
1989. Lou (Kristen Stewart) lives in a small town in New Mexico (USA) and runs a local gym that her estranged father, Lou Sr. (Ed Harris), owns. One night, Jackie (Katy O’Brian), a drifter from Oklahoma, arrives in town on her way to a bodybuilding competition in Las Vegas. They get it right, but get into trouble when Jackie takes matters into her own hands after JJ (Dave Franco) physically abuses his wife, Lou’s sister Beth (Jena Malone).
Together, the women explode with a passion that is not only shown in their love scenes, but in the connection of their spirits. Lou and Jackie immediately support each other no matter what. However, their trust issues sometimes make them retreat, resulting in tragedy foretold.
After the chilly British scenes of her debut feature, “Saint Maud,” director Rose Glass sets “Love Lies Bleeding” in the dusty American Southwest, and there’s a bloody hum of danger in every frame.
Jackie is a woman who is hiding her trauma through strength and a powerful physique. When someone is physically or psychologically abused, they may sometimes act violently when they feel threatened. The only person Jackie lets in is Lou, and the only person Lou lets in is Jackie. They’re both tough and willing to do whatever it takes to survive, no matter if it’s illegal or not.
In a mix of “Thelma and Louise”, “Bound by Desire” and “Natural Born Killers”, as Lou tries to help Jackie cover up a crime, the plot becomes increasingly distorted when Daisy (Anna Baryshnikov) claims to have witnessed the act. and then blackmails Lou.
Underneath all the grit, darkness and violence, “Love Lies Bleeding” really has a beating heart. Kristen Stewart and Katy O’Brian give raw, emotionally resonant performances. Both have explosive chemistry together.
In terms of sex and violence, there is a lot, although not much nudity. The violent scenes are very graphic, however, they push for unshakable gore.
“Love Lies Bleeding” also has some surprisingly surreal, magical realism sequences that are darkly comical. Furthermore, the soundtrack, by Clint Mansell, is superb and the photography, by Ben Fordesmann, is scintillating, in an illicit world of weapons, violence and steroids.
Source: Maxima
I am an experienced author and journalist with a passion for lifestyle journalism. I currently work for Buna Times, one of the leading news websites in the world. I specialize in writing stories about health, wellness, fashion, beauty, interior design, and more. My articles have been featured on major publications such as The Guardian and The Huffington Post.