LOVE LIES BLEEDING (15)
Director: Rose Glass
Runtime: 104 minutes
Cast: Kristen Stewart, Katy O’Brian, Jena Malone, Anna Baryshnikov, Dave Franco and Ed Harris
Synopsis: From Director Rose Glass comes an electric new love story; reclusive gym manager Lou falls hard for Jackie, an ambitious bodybuilder headed through town to Vegas in pursuit of her dream. But their love ignites violence, pulling them deep into the web of Lou’s criminal family.
URL: https://youtu.be/AULR_GPteNQ?si=gEeTVapcDkWJA-T3
From Director Rose Glass [Saint Maud] comes an electric new love story which opened this year’s Glasgow Film Festival -tickets selling out in minutes.
In 1989 in a New Mexico town, reclusive gym manager Lou [ a superbly nuanced performance from Kristen Stewart] falls hard for Jackie [Katy O’Brian] an ambitious bodybuilder headed through town to Vegas in pursuit of her dream. But their love ignites violence, pulling them deep into the web of Lou’s criminal family. Love and violence come together in an explosive cocktail in this thriller from Saint Maud director Rose Glass which marks a genre and geographical change from her unforgettable debut which explored chilling religious madness by the British seaside.
In Love Lies Bleeding Rose Glass proves equally adept at embracing small-town Americana to craft a sharply stylish thriller that packs plenty of emotional heat in a visceral and often surreal film which has action, sex, steroids, suspense a burgeoning body count and magical realism.
Exploring the dark side of the American dream in a ‘80s-set lesbian crime drama.
Tinged with noir and neon and full of body building in a tacky gym where Lou unblocks toilets and where the feature posters either disclaiming legal responsibility for equipment-related injuries or recommending clients push themselves because pain is just weakness leaving the body.
Beyond the gripping central performances, Ed Harris offers menacing support as Lou’s estranged father, who has attracted the attention of the FBI.
Meanwhile Lou’s sister Beth (Jena Malone) is being beaten up her odious husband JJ (Dave Franco) and lust and violence powerfully collide in this atmospheric revenge thriller surely destined for cult status for years to come.
The evocative title of Rose Glass’ exceptional Love Lies Bleeding is taken from an
Elton John song
Images courtesy of A24
