Edgar Wright's LAST NIGHT IN SOHO is so enrapturing to the eyes and ears that it's a shock to the system when the film ends and you have to return to gray, blaring reality. Thomasin McKenzie plays Eloise, a sixties-obsessed, aspiring young fashion designer who leaves behind cozy country life to study in the exciting yet treacherous city of London. Instantly pegged as prissy by her more sophisticated roommate, she escapes ridicule by renting a room (from Dame Diana Rigg, no less) that better suits her offbeat personality. Soon her dreams, personality and mental landscape are meshing with those of a charismatic previous occupant of the room named Sandie (effortlessly ethereal Anya Taylor-Joy). Unfortunately, what begins as a joyous, romantic fantasy begins to curdle into a mystery-ridden, time warp nightmare.
LAST NIGHT IN SOHO is sort of like BLACK SWAN dipped in SUSPIRIA sauce but for all the many films and genres it may touch base with, it's always an impressively singular vision. Really, there's nothing quite like it and it sports a few moments that are absolutely spellbinding. Incredibly (for me), it may be least potent when it leans into pure horror, as some of poor Eloise's waking visions of phantoms from the past become redundant near the end. It's possible 20 minutes of this film could be shaved off to tighten up the story but on the other hand, a part of me wanted to stay in the universe it offered forever. Luckily, I don't mind wading through a few ineffective boo-scares for a film kind enough to play Siouxsie and the Banshees' "Happy House" at a Halloween party for me. It's not like a got a more stimulating place to go.
It's hard to fault a flick so earnestly entranced with its subject matter and the possibilities of film. There are so many innovative things going on visually from clever mirror tricks to psychedelic lighting, to the detailed accuracy of replicated sixties-era London. The mix of eye candy imagery with stellar music selections can be absolutely intoxicating at times. Best of all, I can say I was genuinely surprised when the final puzzle piece was put in place. LAST NIGHT IN SOHO may require a bit of patience when it plays the same card a few too many times but the benefits of being so fully transported are absolutely worth it.
I like this kind of review. You say a lot in three paragraphs without going on and on. You don't try to describe every beat of the movie and pick it apart. Thanks for the review because this one is on my radar.
Thanks, Snixy! That's great to hear! It's funny I was just reading some reviews in an old Cinefantastique magazine and had to stop because they were giving away way too much info! Appreciate your kind words and hope you like the movie!
I will say that Anya Taylor-Joy, with those giant eyes, does have a demonic Kewpie Doll thing going on.
Really looking forward to this one, as "Black Swan dipped in Suspiria sauce." sounds like the recipe for my cup of tea! Also, getting a bit of a Neon Demon vibe from the stills, which I will never say "no" to!