Review of Promising Young Woman (2020) by Dawdlingpoet — 29 Dec 2021

This is very much a visual film, with bright, neon, 'bubblegum' colours throughout. However, this is also very much not a kids film, although it could be said that the colour emphasis gives it a slight comic book feel to it. I don't think its a spoiler as such to say that this film is a revenge thriller which focusses on sexual violence - I'm saying that as knowing that may put some people off wanting to watch it, for obvious reasons. I thought Carey Mulligan did a decent job portraying the titular character - I liked that she's quite an independent and determined character. What she does may be questionable by some, right enough, she's a character some may not fully agree with but I doubt if most people couldn't feel some sympathy for her back story, when its made clear.

This is very much a thriller/drama film, moreso than primarily an action film, so don't be expecting constant fast paced scenes, although I certainly wouldn't say its an entirely bland or utterly boring film. There's one main moral side to it, which becomes pretty clear not long after the film starts and the reason why the protaganist does what she does also becomes clear after perhaps the first half. Its not what I'd call ground breaking and if anything, its perhaps a good film to spark a conversation about the topic of sexual violence, consent and how men regard women. I'm not certain I'd call it an 'all out feminist film' as such. I think it does well at questioning how young women are judged in certain accusatory scenarios - questioning the culture of some young men.

There was one aspect to the ending which didn't sit well with me, in terms of realism but then I can be a bit 'nitpicky' at times I suppose. However, overall I'd say this is a good film thats worth seeing, yes. I was, however, a little disappointed that it seemed there wasn't much in the way of redeeming features in the 'male of the species', as I'd like to think that this isn't the case for everyone.