Starring - Thomasin McKenzie (Old, Jojo Rabbit), Anya Taylor-Joy (The Witch, The New Mutants), and Matt Smith (Doctor Who, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies)
Release Date - 2021
Genre - Horror/Mystery
Tagline - "A murder in the past. A mystery in the future"
Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
When I was in high school I picked up the rom com zom flick Shaun of the Dead. That was my introduction to director Edgar Wright and actors Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. I've been a fan of the three ever since. Wright has directed some seriously entertaining action, sci-fi, and comedies but when I hear that he is attached to a horror film I often find myself becoming way too excited for the project. When I heard about Last Night in Soho I knew this was going to be a film that I would obsess over like his other films but I was unable to see it during it's theatrical run. However, once I received the press release for the physical release I was quick to request a review copy. I received it a few weeks back but the carrier absolutely destroyed it. Sadly, the disc was not playable so I had to pick up a copy the next time I was out shopping. Due to my work schedule I was unable to do so until recently but I'm fucking glad I did because I loved this film.
The story for this one follows an aspiring fashion designer who moves to Soho in hopes of attending school and start a career. However, after a horrible first night with her roommates she moves out and into one of the older buildings in town in hopes of bettering herself but her new room sends her back in time to the 60s while she sleeps. During her night time adventures she follows an aspiring lounge singer who gets mixed up with a shady manager who pimps her out under the guise that it's bettering her career. As her night visions continue she uncovers that the women she was following was murdered by her "pimp" but as she tries to investigate and bring justice for this decades long open murder case she discovers that her small glimpse at the murder was just that and something else entirely had happened.
Last Night in Soho was a slow build up which made me nervous at first but as the film progressed I found myself falling in love with it. I knew nothing about the film prior to watching aside from the fact that it was directed by Wright and was a horror mystery. The movie was a lot more than that and the twist was unexpected and so fucking enjoyable. I loved this movie and it's easily one of Wright's better films. The acting in this is absolutely amazing. The characters are so much fun and the cast goes all in. Matt Smith is fucking fantastic as the sleazy manager who introduces the young singer to prostitution and the underbelly of the nightclub circuit of the 60s. McKenzie and Taylor-Joy are great together and they carry the film on their backs. The supporting cast is fantastic as well with so many amazing characters and cast members for the viewer to enjoy. The story for this one is not your traditional murder mystery. Wright gives viewers a period piece that meets a classic and stylish mystery with one hell of a twist that you don't see coming. The red herrings are not awkward like most modern horror films that try to throw the viewer off it's trail. I really enjoyed it and I feel as if Wright has set himself up for a fantastic prequel film or even a series based on that twist. The film has damn near perfect pacing, wonderful dialogue, and it's a story that even though you've already seen it and know the twist it is still just as enjoyable on the second, fifth and even the tenth viewing. Finally, the film is fairly dry at first but once we reach the first death we move into some bloody and highly entertaining moments. Those of you looking for some of the red stuff will be in heaven during the last leg of the film. There is fantastic practical and visual effects that work great together to make the death scenes work. Overall, Last Night in Soho is a fucking must watch and easily one of the best films of 2021. It's not predictable, an amazing premise, and a fantastic cast. Please do yourself a favor and watch this film. I highly recommend it.
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