Words By Caitlin Evans <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I’m Worried, Darling<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n *THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS*<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The drama surrounding Olivia Wilde’s latest release, Don’t Worry, Darling<\/em>, has been unavoidable recently. It all began with the controversy over the casting decisions (Harry Styles, I’m looking at you), and has since spiralled into a seemingly never-ending stream of negative claims, so-called arguments, and drama. This hasn’t overshadowed the film itself, however, and it has received a lot of feedback, both positive and negative. Here’s my take:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don’t Worry, Darling<\/em> is a psychological thriller which shows the lives of couple Alice (Florence Pugh) and Jack (Harry Styles) living in an idealized, 1950’s-esque community called \u00d4\u00c7\u00ffVictory’. We later discover that this so-called community is an artificially created, VR-type town and is part of an experiment known as the \u00d4\u00c7\u00ffVictory Project’, the work of project leader, Frank (Chris Pine). Every day, the men of Victory go to work on this top-secret project whilst the women stay at home and play the role of housewives, spending time gossiping and shopping with the other wives of the town. The wives are encouraged not to ask questions about their husband’s jobs and told not to leave the perimeter of the area which is deemed \u00d4\u00c7\u00ffsafe’ for them. It is later revealed that this is to prevent them from finding out the truth about the Victory Project, which is that this town, and their lives here, are completely fabricated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Overall, I thought the concept was clever, slightly disturbing at times, and for the most part well-executed, with some incredible performances (thank you, Florence Pugh). There are also some interesting themes to unpack. The obvious message that came across is the desire for men to control women. We know that the Victory Project is the work of a man called Frank, with the purpose of giving other men the opportunity to join him and help build his community. This life is chosen <\/em>by the men of the community, whilst the women, at least in Alice’s case, have no say. This town of Victory seems to be Frank’s idea of a \u00d4\u00c7\u00ffperfect’ world, which is essentially a world in which we are back in the 1950’s – when the men would go to work and the women are stay-at-home wives\/mothers\/housewives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n