REVIEW: Nightmare Alley explores the greedy side of humanity

I really came out of the end of the session The Nightmare Alley (Nightmare Alley, 2021) without knowing what to say. With all the visual characteristics known to the director, Guillermo del Toro, the film is stunningly beautiful, with superb photography, wonderfully impressive costumes, and a plot that navigates the uglier sides of humanity.

Maybe it's not to everyone's liking and especially for laymen who didn't know about the novel on which the film was based. Even those who knew that there was already another adaptation made in 1947 feel very lost, since the ideal would be to expect a horror movie, but the viewer then wins a fantasy drama of a man who tried to fill a void that should have been addressed. with therapy and not with quackery.

Guillermo del Toro's version

Coming completely out of the supernatural, del toro embraces the darker sides of humanity. In pursuit of the sold “American dream”, there are many more stories of failures than successes — even if these are the ones that gain more prominence. The Nightmare Alley plunges into the story of a man too blind to see who he really is—even if he keeps repeating that he's not like anyone else. The show explores his arrogance and ego on the road to success, showing that this path is a progressively tighter noose around his neck. 

For those who haven't read the novel by William Lee Gresham or saw the 1947 adaptation, don't worry, it's not necessary, as the film carries a very straightforward plot. The Nightmare Alley by Guillermo del Toro tells the story of the charlatan Stanton Carlisle (Bradley Cooper), who finds a traveling circus show.

He quickly finds a place of his own amidst the shows, and it doesn't take long for him to form friendships with the clairvoyant Zeena (Tony Colette) and her husband, former mentalist Pete (David strathairn). Asking to be his student, Stan soon becomes Pete's pupil, absorbing everything he can, learning the necessary skills before he can unleash his wings to have something bigger. And this is where we begin to notice his personality traits.

He wants more. And that's not a bad thing, but the paths he decides to take to get there become his undoing.

Not satisfied with going it alone, he still convinces the gullible and deluded Molly (Rooney Mara) to leave the circus and follow his own path, and, upon reaching the heights of his career, he still finds himself dissatisfied, and so plans a coup against the city's elite. However, like any plan made with bad intentions, it is doomed to failure. When he targets rich Ezra Grindle (Richard Jenkins), Dr. Lilith Ritter (Cate Blanchett) serves you as an assistant and informer about that person's secrets. But Ritter also has plans of his own, which ultimately backfires.

Cast

The cast of The Nightmare Alley is outstanding. Cate Blanchett deserves everyone's praise—your Dr. Lilith is manipulative. Like Stanley, she never shows her true face, showing only what she wants to show. Blanchett and Cooper ooze chemistry on screen.

The actress is incredible. Even when Stanley thinks she's in charge, we can see that's not true. It's interesting how Lilith delves into Carlisle's psyche, bringing out all facets of him, while he doesn't realize it.

The Nightmare Alley It is a film that moves slowly, divided into three very clear acts. Viewers who tend to like more agitated films may not be able to follow a slower pace — especially in the first part, as the film only starts to accelerate when we reach the third act, which takes us to the frenzy and the climax of the story.

But those who manage to capture the essence right at the beginning are not surprised by the path that the film takes you. The truth is that in a very obvious way we can predict what will happen, but the road that the script builds in the plot is what makes it The Nightmare Alley be as good as it is.

The technical aspects

It's not really a del Toro movie without the . The cinematography and art department led by art director Brandt Gordon deserves applause — and perhaps an Oscar nomination in the technical categories. Made with care, their work shines on canvas. The use of colors in the sets is such that it does not distract from the performances. the photograph of The Nightmare Alley is also another highlight, as it captures the touchy and intrinsic beauty of the film, and complements what the script wants to convey to you. 

Some notable scenes capture complete simplicity or stunning detail. Almost any movie can be captured and placed in one frame. It is splendid. Laustsen's photography and framing capture the exquisite details of the production designer's work and decor, creating something spectacular to the eye.

The Nightmare Alley has that movie air cults, and maybe, in a few years, it will end up in that position. The film portrays the infinite roulette of exploring man's failure. Morality is painted in the grand scale of gray. Unlike what the title suggests, it's not a horror, but a thriller psychological that explores the ugliest sides of humanity and in a beautiful way. A real show for the eyes.

The Nightmare Alley premieres on the 27th exclusively in theaters.

See also:

Did you like our review? Don't forget to check out our Panic review, which opened in theaters also in January.