Rose Glass returns with her second feature, Love Lies Bleeding (2024), a dark and gripping blend of neo-noir, romantic thriller and black comedy. Set in 1989, it follows an unusual relationship between a reclusive gym manager and an ambitious bodybuilder who become entangled in a criminal world.
The story
In a remote New Mexico town, Lou, played by Kristen Stewart, meets aspiring bodybuilder Jackie, played by Katy O'Brian. As Jackie prepares for a competition, Lou offers her steroids, taking her training further and bringing the two women closer. Their relationship develops against a backdrop of increasing steroid use and the criminal dealings of Lou's family, headed by her estranged father Lou Sr., played by Ed Harris.
Spoilers: the ending explainedOpen only if you want to know the ending.
The dangerous dynamic between Lou and Jackie is central to the film. Jackie's growing aggression and Lou's family troubles put their relationship under pressure. That tension explodes when Jackie kills JJ, played by Dave Franco, the abusive husband of Lou's sister Beth, played by Jena Malone. The subsequent cover-up, together with the threat of the FBI and the criminal underworld, drives the story forward.
Themes and characters
Love Lies Bleeding explores the darker sides of love, ambition and human behavior. Kristen Stewart gives a strong performance as Lou, whose inner conflicts and loyalties are tested. Katy O'Brian impresses as Jackie, torn between her feelings for Lou and her desire for success. Their chemistry is electric and forms the film's emotional heart.
Supporting characters, including Jena Malone's Beth and Ed Harris's Lou Sr., add further layers of conflict. Anna Baryshnikov's Daisy is particularly notable: her fixation on Lou introduces another threat.
Direction and cinematography
Having already attracted attention with Saint Maud, Rose Glass again demonstrates her gift for intense, atmospheric storytelling. Ben Fordesman's cinematography captures the darkness and tension, making expressive use of rural New Mexico. Carefully handled light and shadow amplify both the threatening atmosphere and the characters' internal divisions.
Verdict
Love Lies Bleeding is an intense, dark film distinguished by strong performances and forceful direction. The plot occasionally feels overloaded, but Kristen Stewart, Katy O'Brian and Rose Glass's assured staging keep it gripping and well worth watching. It offers a distinctive combination of thriller, drama and black comedy that should not be missed.
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