The horror genre is vast and expansive. You have your slashers, your psychological horrors, your cult films, and pretty much everything in between. However, there is a very unique type of horror that Hollywood studios are rumored to be planning on getting into lately. If this is the case, then Mimi Cave is clearly ahead of the curve with her new film Fresh. I will not spoil the specific style of horror this film is, as Fresh is an experience that’s best received blind to its twists. This movie follows Noa (Daisy Edgar-Jones), a young woman tired of all the mundane activities of online dating and the douchebags she is constantly paired with. One day, by chance, she meets Steve (Sebastian Stan), a delightful young man who is a far cry from the sleazy jerks she’s used to. However, Noa learns that Steve is not who he seems.

Fresh is a film that completely blows away your expectations. It starts off as a cute relationship comedy about the stresses of millennial dating, and quickly turns into one of the sickest and most demented horrors I have ever seen. While the worldbuilding and character writing is done well enough, the characters are able to be fully realized thanks to the acting. Daisy Edgar-Jones makes us desperately root for her through her strong, depressing performance. The often underrated Sebastian Stan delivers a charming yet absolutely repulsive performance that lived rent-free in my head long after the credits rolled.

The main problems with the film stem from the direction. These mistakes are understandable as it is Mimi Cave’s directorial debut, and she still delivers on some fronts. There are a multitude of incredible framing and blocking choices, as well as truly excellent synergy with the cinematography. However, parts of the film feel a bit over-directed, with many choices almost killing the tone of the film. Near the end, the film began to drag, and while the payoff at the finale felt satisfying, there were aspects that also felt tonally off in that climactic scene. In summary, Fresh is an wonderfully disturbing film with many strengths that deserve to be appreciated. It is not without flaws, but it’s entertaining regardless and ultimately feels destined to reach cult classic status.

7/10