Nightmare Alley

Based on the 1946 novel of the same name, Nightmare Alley tells the story of Stanton Carlisle (Bradley Cooper), who takes on a job at a travelling carnival owned by the charismatic Clem Hoately (Willem Dafoe). Stanton learns the tools of the trade from his fellow carnies, including the arts of mentalism and magic tricks from Madame Zeena (Toni Collette) and her magician husband Pete (David Strathairn), and falls in love with performer Molly (Rooney Mara). An ambitious man, Stanton decides to leave the carnival behind to use his newfound talents as a psychic, but his ambitions soon lead him and the people around him into dangerous waters.

The film is narratively dense and complicated, exploring a number of interesting themes intelligently and with depth, using the powerful visuals of the carnival to full effect. While director Guillermo del Toro is better known for his creature features, this is a movie that delves into the monstrosity at the heart of man, playing into ideas of inhumanity from different but nevertheless compelling and unsettling angles.

Befitting of both its carnival setting and pulpy noir narrative trappings, Nightmare Alley is aesthetically striking, experimenting with camera angles, lighting and colour to create a constantly shifting array of visual delights that complement the recurring themes of glamour and deception perfectly. Del Toro imbues this psychological thriller with his distinctive style, leaning into the horror and mystery at the heart of the tale and creating a sense of the otherworldly, even in a story that actively eschews the supernatural.

Of course, any circus is only as good as its performers, and the feature boasts a star-studded cast that bring their A-game. Cooper is great as the piece’s troubled protagonist, and his gradual descent into deception and cruelty is as uncomfortable to watch as it is gripping. Cate Blanchett, who enters the second half as manipulative psychologist Lilith Ritter, absolutely steals the show with her portrayal of the noir-esque femme fatale, with her cold and calculated performances and aesthetics clashing with Stanton’s pomp and ceremony in some fascinating ways.

Overall, Nightmare Alley is a fantastic film that marries horror and noir smartly and seamlessly to create a cinematic experience that explores the ugliness of humanity beautifully and stylishly. It’s equal parts captivating and horrendous, making for a grand circus show.

Umar Ali

Nightmare Alley is released nationwide on 21^st January 2022.

Watch the trailer for Nightmare Alley here: