Don’t Worry Darling (2022) (Film Review)

Don’t Worry Darling (2022) is a mystery/drama directed by Olivia Wilde set in a fictional 1950s town. There are films that are very bad… but at least have an interesting first half-hour. This film didn’t bother. I was bored stiff from the start. Well… there are some good moments afterwards, with a bit more interesting dialogue and some nice action towards the end.

But… Florence Pugh & Olivia Wilde, two excellent actresses… who are unfortunately very often in bad films. Especially the former! What’s more, it’s directed by the latter! Usually, you’d think “Waaaah! Olivia is an American-Irish actress, director and producer. What a talent!” But just because you know how to do it doesn’t mean you do it right! Obviously, I’m very hard on her, because of course I admire her. She’s been in short films, feature films, she was a screenwriter for her Free Hugs, she does voices for video games, cartoons, she’s appeared in music videos (for example “City of Angels” by Jared Leto’s band, Thirty Seconds to Mars) and has also directed some, notably for the Red Hot Chili Peppers…But I confess I’ve yet to see anything transcendent with her, even though I loved The Words. But this film didn’t rely on her. So Yes, I was quite happy to see her little appearance in Her (2013), I really enjoyed her role in Cold Blood (2012) alongside Eric Bana and also Lazarus Effect (2015) which are, for me, two of her best. I was also delighted to see her in The Girl Next Door (2004) with Elisha Cuthbert & Emile Hirsch, as well as in Time Out (2011) starring Justin Timberlake & Amanda Seyfried. But Olivia has also been in catastrophic films like Meadowland. And the others I didn’t even remember, I confess. And she proved one thing with this film: deep, fine cinema isn’t for everyone.

Pop singer (now actor) Harry Styles does quite well as an actor here. Relatively convincing. We’ll see whether, like Justin Timberlake (whom I’ve already mentioned), he makes regular appearances in films or not. As for Chris Pine, he’s very good and can be so detestable. He has this kind of handsome face, which can quickly become frightening or repulsive, so much so that it can smell of hypocrisy. It’s usually a pleasure to see this charismatic actor.

As for the film, quite a few people have said or written “I wasted almost 2 hours watching a pointless movie.” Indeed, this film is one big indigestible sweet. Film lovers will leave the screening feeling insulted, uneasy and totally incomprehensible. Admittedly, the filmmaking is polished, pleasant and sometimes even talented, but the film is just like its story: empty. A scenario in which you either get lost or don’t believe it for a second, unless you twist your brain. There’s a real lack of coherence. You watch right to the end, thinking that everything will be more or less explained. But nothing! A disappointing ending. Without words! No ending, in fact!

Fortunately, Florence Pugh’s charm makes this nonsense worth watching. This leading lady is really great. I think most of the positive reviews and the trailer are misleading. The soundtrack is great, though. All those old songs that still play so well. The sets are well planted, but the script and direction are a total purge. Let’s get these film producers to censor the appalling scriptwriters who worked on this project, my friends! And to think that Marvel, so decried by critics, has the decency not to want to be as pompous as this turnip. As for those who are anti-wokeism, they’ll see only evil everywhere (in this film as elsewhere!), but that’s become usual. They’re so afraid of losing their privileged white status that they’ll bring it up all the time.

My Rating