Director Olivia Wilde’s sophomore film Don’t Worry Darling, starring Florence Pugh and Harry Styles, made headlines during its press tour because of the infamous behind-the-screen tussle between the director and the actors. What, however, caught the attention of the audience was its unexpected sci-fi plot. The movie was a commercial success as it garnered $ 84.9 million through its theatrical release. Just over a month after its release, it is now available to the audience on HBO Max.
The story is twisty and the revelation of its elements is brilliantly paced. The movie is set in the 1950s in a utopian town, where everything seems suspiciously perfect, where Alice (Pugh) and Jack (Styles) seemingly live a happily married ‘perfect’ life, where Jack, along with his co-workers, works at the Victory office doing highly classified jobs by the day and making merry by the nightfall.
Alice on the other hand, dons the role of a housewife, making toast and coffee for her husband, cleaning their house, vacuuming the floors, and shopping with her friends. All of their friends are couples and they enjoy the company of each other.
Don’t Worry Darling Trailer
Everything is perfect until it is not. The opening scene of the movie shows Alice being suspicious of something. With every passing day, she grows curious about the nature of her husband’s work and a cult-like submission to their boss.
As the movie proceeds, one goes on to discover the deepest secrets of what goes on in the utopian lives of the citizens of Victory town. What makes the movie engrossing is its stunning visuals and powerful performances. It is thus Alice’s dilemma and endeavor to unveil the truth that keeps the movie going. The movie also subtly touches on various social norms of conformity, gender norms, gaslighting, motherhood, masculinity, etc.
The trailer of the movie made a buzz among the audience, leaving them with multiple unanswered questions. Actor-turned-director Wilde’s debut movie Booksmart was critically acclaimed and thus alleviating the hype surrounding Don’t Worry Darling.
Pugh, an Oscar nominee has justified her character to the T, the popularity of Harry Styles among the youth as a singer further gave way to the anticipation that surrounded the film. During the press tour that preceded the release of the movie, many headlines were made about the absence of Pugh and the rift between her and the director, which she later denied.
Through its out of box story and powerful narrative, Don’t Worry Darling does make one wonder about what could be the truth and that is exactly what keeps the audience glued to the screen, those who haven’t watched it yet, are in luck since it’s now streaming!
