A young woman, traumatized by a tragic event in her past, seeks out vengeance against those who cross her path.
“Promising Young Woman” follows Cassie (Carey Mulligan), who likes to go out and get blackout drunk. Usually a “nice guy” takes pity on her and decides to take her home (and by home, I mean his home). What the guy does not know though is that Cassie is not drunk at all and his so-called “nice guy” act is not fooling anyone, least of all Cassie, as she exposes how gross and predatory his behavior actually is.
As it turns out, Cassie’s best friend Nina was sexually assaulted back in med school and Cassie is determined to get justice for her. Going out to bars and pretending to get drunk is just one way she tries to do that. But once Ryan (Bo Burnham), who went to med school with Cassie and Nina, enters the equation and reveals he still keeps in touch with their old peers, things start getting more personal. Cassie starts to target the people who did not take Nina seriously when she tried to report her rape.
Though the #MeToo movement has put a spotlight on sexual harassment and assault, this movie reinforces that the crime is still not taken seriously, and the blame still largely falls on the victim. And I cannot overstate just how incredibly satisfying it was to see these people get their comeuppance.
It’s quite admirable how much Cassie is willing to do for Nina and it is a testament to a strong female friendship. Mulligan gives her best performance here in my opinion. She’s closed off but feels so much and consistently is met with disappointment. She’s dissatisfied with men, with her work, and with her home situation, but does not really try to fix any of that. She has put herself in this repetitive cycle of exposing men’s behavior that gives her no joy but instead gives her a sense of vindication, which is what she thrives on. In other words, Cassie is a deeply flawed and traumatized female protagonist, my favorite type of character.
Along with a provoking performance with Mulligan, the film features Alison Brie, Chris Lowell, Laverne Cox, and Connie Britton in supporting roles. But it was Bo Burnham who surprised me the most. I am a fan of his comedy specials and the movie he directed, “Eighth Grade,” but he helped carry this film. His character and Mulligan’s Cassie start dating, and they had really great chemistry together. His humor is charming and endearing, and he was able to bring a lightness to Cassie.
The pop music works in some places, but not so much in others. The soundtrack mostly consists of female pop ballads reworked to sound more punk. It definitely added to the tone of the film, but sometimes felt shoe-horned in.
If the premise of the film was not ‘controversial’ enough, the third act does nothing but add to that controversy and will be a big talking point for those who have seen the film. Let’s just say, the third act is incredibly shocking and bittersweet. It actually took me a while to figure out how I felt about the ending. I can see how it may turn some viewers off, even I felt a bit put off with it but I still felt that same sense of satisfaction I have been feeling all throughout the film from the moment the first scene ended and the title appeared on screen.
Overall, “Promising Young Woman” is one of the best films of 2020 and I cannot wait to see it again. While revenge movies are not my cup of tea as they are usually clichéd and formulaic, this film proves to be the exception. Director Emerald Fennell, a writer from the acclaimed series “Killing Eve,” brings similar elements of dark comedy and a sinister, yet sweet tone here and gives her audience that sweet taste of vindication that Cassie’s chases after on her quest.
In Select Theaters Friday, December 25th
