PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN is one of those rare films with an extraordinary main character. It is oddly dark yet at the same time, comical. Revenge films can go full on barbaric or, like this one, burn slowly and methodically. One thing is for sure, actress Carey Mulligan gives a mesmerizing performance as Cassandra Thomas. This is a woman who is obviously scarred by a tragic event and is doing all she can to keep it from happening to someone else. At the same time she is making sure that those involved in the event never forget the pain they caused. Emerald Fennell wrote and directed this film, and gives us a full frontal look at one woman’s desire for justice at any cost.
Synopsis: A young woman, traumatized by a tragic event in her past, seeks out vengeance against those who cross her path. | Rated R for strong violence including sexual assault, language throughout, some sexual material and drug use
Cassie (Mulligan) spends a few evenings each week hanging out in bars pretending to be drunk. Her motive is to get guys to try and take advantage of her so she can then turn the tables on them and makes them face their behavior. You get the sense that she is hoping to save future girls from being preyed upon. We learn that Cassie had great potential and was on track to a wonderful career. She is smart, beautiful, and determined. But something derailed it all. Now she can’t seem to move past the hurt. It is consuming her to the point that she can think of nothing else. Her parents love her but want her to move out. Her friends worry about her inability to hold down a relationship. Cassie is on a personal mission and will not stop until she has proven her point.
The interesting part of this story is how Fennell shows the good and bad side of revenge. Yes Cassie has a valid reason to be upset. Absolutely the people responsible do not deserve to just go on as if nothing happened. But it also shows the toll it takes on the way seeking revenge. The one suffering the most is Cassie. Her life is falling apart and she will never find happiness until she forgive and move on. Not forget or deny the wrong doing. But find the peace that comes from letting go. Her family and friends try to be patient and loving but it only goes so far.
There is a lot of dark comedy in this film. Mulligan plays the part with unhinged abandon. She can get a fire in her eye that is terrifying to see. The fun comes in watching her victims squirm. The supporting cast – Clancy Brown, Jennifer Coolidge, and the hilarious Bo Burnham – also lend much comic relief in how they react to her and try and placate her. Burnham especially is a lot of fun to watch as a young man trying to date Cassie. His witty delivery and timing is spot on. The moments with him and Cassie break the tension enough to make this as much a romantic comedy as a revenge flick.
There are serious moments too in which we all must stop and think about how we as a society often are willing to sweep things under the rug. How often victims are looked at as accomplices to their own crime. Especially in the world of sexual abuse.Too often young men are given a pass when it comes to how they treat and take advantage of young women. This film and Cassie in particular shine a light on the problem and do so with clever dialogue and scenarios. One of my favorite scenes takes place between Mulligan and actress Connie Britton. Britton plays a Dean of Students at the school Cassie attended. It is an amazing exchange and such a powerful moment.
PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN is really solid. Fennell also wrote the popular – and also darkly twisted – Killing Eve. So fans of that show will appreciate the direction this one takes, scene after scene. I give it a B+ for bravery. A strong cast and insightful writing make this a powerhouse film indeed.
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