a girl walks home alone at night (2014)-review
spoiler-free synopsis:
a vampire known only as “the girl” takes to the streets of bad city to rid it of less-than-savory (or…maybe they’re actually pretty savory since she drinks their blood…🤔) characters. she meets young arash at a pivotal moment in his life and a strange, noir romance buds between them.
🖤🖤🖤
i want to first say…this is not gonna be everyone’s jam
(it feels like i say that a lot during these — what can i say? i’ve got a type.)
it’s an american film, but it takes place in iran and the language spoken throughout is farsi.
it’s also in black and white.
which i’ve notices are considerable turnoffs for the “masses” of film audience.
and — i won’t lie — it took me a bit to get into, but i absolutely love it.
as a horror movie it leaves much to be desired.
there is little violence or blood and when there is, it’s rushed and cut away from quickly.
i personally was under the impression this was a rape/revenge flick, but was sorely mistaken.
however, as a character-driven feminist film with commentary on love, culture, class struggles, addiction, and the use/abuse of natural resources…it makes perfect sense.
especially if you think about how all of it ties into a metaphor such as vampirism.
it is a stunning piece of film and is jarringly original.
sometimes seeming to be unique for the sake of uniqueness, i’ll admit.
but have YOU ever seen an iranian vampire spaghetti western sort of fairy tale love story before?
or what about a woman in a chador riding a skateboard in the middle of the night?
i absolutely adore the use of light and dark in this (and by extension the black and white film).
i could write page after page about the themes and metaphors and what i think happens at the end (or if it even matters)!
but i’ll spare you my critical takes on this one.
this film was obviously crafted with care.
i thought i was going to hate this
but after consideration i deeply appreciate the overarching anticipatory feeling.
that is the most exciting part about love and romance, isn’t it??
i feel like a rating for this one is going to be difficult.
it’s not a horror movie, but it’s an amazing film.
4/5 scars.
