Decades after the accidental drowning of her twin sister, a self-destructive young woman returns to her family home, finding herself drawn to an alternate dimension where her sister may still be alive.
For some reason, a lot of critics witness the surreal and immediately run to David Lynch, perhaps their only point of reference. That being said, “The Blazing World,” from its opening focus on a set of pink silk sheets resembles the opening shots of “Blue Velvet” and “Mulholland Drive.” Besides occasional shades of Lynch, the gorgeous and violent dreamscape is influenced by Dali, Giallo horror, and “Pan’s Labyrinth.” Carlson Young stars, directs, and co-writes with best-selling sci-fi author Pierce Brown which results in a singular vision.
The story begins with blonde twins Margaret and Elizabeth running carefree through a sunlight field amazingly filled with fireflies. Inside their palatial McMansion, the young girls’ Father, Tom (Dermot Mulroney), and Mother (Vinessa Shaw) begin to fight. During their argument, Elizabeth falls into the pool and drowns. Margaret turns to look away from the horror and notices a strange man, Lained (Udo Kier), next to a large portal cut into the landscape.
The story jumps ahead to Margaret (Carlson Young) now in her 20s and living with a roommate. After repetitive visions of her sister, and the strange man, she seeks out a psychic on TV. After tracking down and conversing with the medium she’s compelled to return home for a few days.
Back at home, her mother is rigorously vacuuming before just the two sit down for dinner. Walking down the hall “I Wanna be Adored” by the Stone Roses (one of my fav songs) is blaring from the father’s office. Inside he’s drunkenly hitting golf balls on a virtual golf course with glass and trash all over the floor. During their weird reunion, the father begins scratching at his face like he wants to rip it off before the scene suddenly ends.
Margaret is invited by her friends to attend a neon-drenched concert that’s practically empty. Soko, the wonderful French singer and actor, plays a tarot card reader and lays down some existential advice. Afterward, Soko performs a song that would be right at home at The Roadhouse in “Twin Peaks.” The rest of the music by Isom Innis is a mixture of baroque moody synths that would please Angelo Badalamenti. I was also thrilled to hear a haunting song by Panda Bear during the finale.
To avoid ruining any more of the experience, Margaret, wearing a Rodarte-like prom dress and combat boots, becomes further submerged in her fantasy.
“The Blazing World” premiered at the 20201 Sundance Film Festival on Sunday, January 31st
