Nightmare Alley [2021]

Guillermo del Toro’s Nightmare Alley is a modern noir thriller with a pleasantly pulpy spin and an A list cast that will give you all the feels.

Del Toro‘s movie is a remake of a 1947 movie of the same name: A grifter (Bradley Cooper) working his way up from low-ranking carnival worker to lauded psychic medium matches wits with a psychiatrist (Cate Blanchett) bent on exposing him.

Even though Cate Blanchett’s Character shows up late into the movie, she captures your attention. You’ll forget whatever happened before she shows up and you’re instantly draw into her mystery. If there’s any justice in the world Del Toro, Bradley Cooper, and Blanchett will team up again.

The genuine, pleasant surprise for me was discovering truly what an unabashed, all-out noir it was. A visual master piece brought to life by Blanchett’s character, the big scheme, the hubris and pushing the scheme too far, the fatalism. From its bruised color palette to its spiraling descent into madness and degradation, this is deliciously damnable fare. And I loved every second of it.

Yes, the movie could have been a bit faster, but that’s what make the genre special, and not fan based at the same time. Directors & actors get to exercise a part of their creativity and talent that is rarely used it today’s blockbuster movies.

Should you watch it?

Stylish but a bit slow for the general audience, Nightmare Alley pays off with a powerful ending. I personally loved it, but it’s not for everyone.

Where can I watch it?

You can stream Nightmare Alley exclusively on HULU in USA, and Disney+ everywhere else.