Review of Promising Young Woman (2020) by Wayne_Posh — 17 Feb 2021

Emerald Fennell’s Promising Young Woman (2020) will polarize audiences. This tale exposes rape culture, victim blaming, and the complete mishandling of justice we find lining miles of newspapers of the last three decades all while introducing a lone disruptor who challenges every notion of and exacting revenge upon violence against women. Carey Mulligan offers a harrowing portrayal as Cassandra, a woman pushed to the very edge as she reels from a haunted past who’s true nature is slowly revealed by the very end of the final act. As distressing and disturbing as this topic can present itself, the film is in no way a trudge to get through. Fennell offers wit and a biting satire in each character and relationship on screen. Amid this revenge plot, the main narrative offers B-plots allowing for characters to fall in love, reconcile with parents, educate and to come of age after years of mental oppression. With every reason to break down and cry, Mulligan’s Cassandra find reasons to smile, be happy, and most importantly, be herself. As interesting and multi-faceted Fennell’s narrative is, it is equally well-paced and beautifully shot. Vibrant day shots are contrasted by the dark of seedy nightclubs creating a mood both appealing and cacophonic. The resulting effect on the audience is a constant need to find out what happens next while also being terrifyingly hesitant to actually see what is around that corner. And despite the dire nature of the narrative and the uneasiness the audience may feel, the film remains unapologetically funny. For most of the film, Mulligan is foiled by Jennifer Tilly, Bo Burnham, and Laverne Cox who all offer unique back and forths that add the right amount of levity to put the viewer at ease in between moments of dread. The humor continues until the climax which offers the perfect satirical response to our society’s ambivalence to one of it’s most pressing injustices.

Interestingly, the film uses music (soundtrack not score) to further that satire. The songs of Paris Hilton and Britney Spears, two female pop stars often the victimized by societal judgement. As the final act nears its climax a disturbing cover of Spears’ “Toxic” plays as a sort of hero’s theme but at the same time forces the audience to question who exactly is the toxic party in the end.