Directed by Olivia Wilde
Written by Katie Silberman
Starring Florence Pugh, Harry Styles, Olivia Wilde, Chris Pine, Gemma Chan
Rated R for sexuality, violent content and language
Runtime: 2 hours 2 minutes
In theaters September 23

by Ryan Silberstein, Managing Editor, Red Herring

Some concepts are just too good to let die. Star-crossed lovers, numerous fairy tales, zombie outbreaks, people being replaced by duplicates, all of these are in the larger pantheon of our collective mythology. And in an age of intellectual property driven remakes, reboots, legacy sequels, and “reimaginings,” even ‘original’ screenplays often play off well-known beats. It can be unfair to knock a new work for being unoriginal, and the new work should be judged on its own merits. Don’t Worry Darling treads a familiar path, but modernizes the language and commentary within to provide an update for 2022. 

Don’t Worry Darling is anchored by Florence Pugh’s performance, as she is that special kind of actor that can imbue even the most outlandish character beats with real humanity. As Alice Chambers, she is able to convey the evolution from ignorant bliss to increasing levels of suspicion and paranoia until she is committing the biggest faux pas in their 1950s community: creating “a scene” at a dinner party. Pugh is able to demonstrate this evolution in Alice’s character without breaking beyond the relatable. Her reactions make sense, her suspicions are right, and the tension comes from whether or not she will figure out how to get out before time runs out. 

It also helps to have Chris Pine playing a charismatic, yet mysterious, leader. Alice’s husband Jack (Harry Styles) works for Frank (Pine) at the Victory Project–which, combined with the idyllic planned suburban setting in the middle of a desert–suggests something like the Manhattan Project. It’s secretive enough where although the wives of all of these workers are praised as being essential in supporting their husbands, they are not allowed to know about it. Cracks begin to show when Margaret (KiKi Layne) starts asking questions and making everyone uncomfortable. 

The production design and visual elements also add to making this a fun watch. The choreography of the 1950s automobiles pulling out a cul-de-sac is delightful, as are the soundtrack selections and the celebration of mid-century modern design. The world around the Victory Project is supposed to be as appealing as possible, and will work on anyone who is nostalgic for the Space Age (even if you weren’t born yet). The bright colors, the emphasis on home cooked meals, and a single income household are all appealing compared to our current dystopia. The greatest trick capitalism ever pulled might have been liberating women to join the workforce and then make it so that every household needs two incomes to find any measure of comfort in being middle class, and Don’t Worry Darling is well aware of this feeling. 

Casting a bunch of attractive Millenials to populate a world with full bars, conversation pits, and hi-fi stereos, points to a dual purpose. One, it’s just fun to see this generation inhabit that world, not unlike First Man. Two, there’s a seductiveness to it, dangling all of the things so many lost out on: home ownership, actual downtime, and a positive outlook on the future. The insidious nature of it comes to light as more of the film’s mysteries are revealed, and we see the type of people and the lengths they are willing to go to in order to get what they believe they deserve. 

There are some weak links in terms of plotting and a bunch of unanswered questions about how it all actually works, but ultimately those did not detract from enjoying it in the moment. Harry Styles isn’t quite strong enough of an actor to land some of the more emotional moments of the story, but Pugh’s presence is so strong and overwhelming it also didn’t detract from the experience all that much. Don’t Worry Darling isn’t trying to land any wildly original concepts, but it puts a new spin on its satirical targets and populates an aesthetically pleasing world with extremely attractive people. So Don’t Worry Darling, just sit back and let it wash over you.