Dark and twisted,Guillermo del Toro’sNightmare Alleymight not be everyone’s cup of tea, but nonetheless, it is definitely one film that is worth watching. This 2021 neo-noir psychological thriller is based on William Lindsay Gresham’s 1946 novel of the same name and the second film adaptation of the book. When compared with del Toro’s other films,Nightmare Alleydeserves special recognition due to many reasons.
While del Toro has won many awards for his previous films likeThe Shape of WaterandPan’s Labyrinth, and is now being talked about greatly due to his most recentstop-motion animation,Pinocchio, one cannot simply forget the impact thatNightmare Alleyhas on its audience. From the cinematography to the messages and, of course, the superb cast, this particular film might be del Toro’s best film yet.
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Visually Pleasing and Brilliant Cast
From the very beginning itself,Nightmare Alleycaptures the dark essence of thestory through its visuals. The film begins with Stanton Carlisle, played by Bradley Cooper, burning a body. Following this, the scene shifts to Stan entering the circus on what seems to be a cold, rough day. Interestingly, the unnatural nature of the circus is perfectly encapsulated through the cinematography. From the dark colors to the very dirty and congested location, it is made obvious that the circus is up to no good. The film ensures that the different worlds of the circus people like Zeena (Toni Collette), Pete (David Strathairn) and Clem (Willem Dafoe) and the upper-class characters like Dr. Lilith Ritter (Cate Blanchett) and Ezra Grindle (Richard Jenkins) are made obvious through the atmospheredrawn through the cinematography.
What is significant about this capture is the film’s ability to make the viewer feel as if they are a part of these worlds. The viewer is made to feel nauseous through the geek eating the live chicken and the overall murkiness of the circus, in turn, giving life to the setting itself. However, it seems as if del Toro is going a step further by incorporating symbols and messages into the setting. When analyzed closely, it is clear that none of the high class characters make the viewer feel comfortable. The dark color palette seems to suggest that none of these characters have good intentions.
On top of the cinematography, del Toro has also chosen the perfect actors to play the right roles. Bradley Cooper’s masculine figure is emphasized to make him look like a protagonist who cannot be trusted. With Blanchett nailing her character of Dr. Ritter, the audience is made to feel very tense and uneasy every time she makes an appearance. This in itself shows how brilliant this villain is with her sky and cunning nature. Both the characters and the visuals go beyond the screen and reach the audience by ensuring that they feeldisturbed and uncomfortablethroughout the whole film.
An Extremely Complex Protagonist
With a secret past that haunts him, an urge to become successful, and the brains to outsmart the rich,Stan is not your ordinary protagonist. Generally, protagonists are created in such a way that the viewers connect with them and sympathize with them. However, Stan seems to be an exception. Perhaps it is his growing greed and his deceitful nature; this particular character does not seem to win the viewers' favor. Even if the protagonist might have attracted the viewer at first, by the middle of the story, he ends up being not so different from the villain. In fact, both Dr. Ritter and Stan seem to be quite similar, with neither of them willing to lose to the other.
Given that the story is “a classic Icarus tale… a Ferris-wheel narrative” we see the protagonist’s growing gluttony brings him to his ultimate downfall, thus, connecting the ending of the film to its beginning. Stan’s mental stability and instability, Dr. Ritter’s unraveling of his dark persona, and his painful past, the story goes on to reveal the hidden layers of the protagonist. However, what is important is the way in which del Toro takes the time to develop as well as unravel Stan’s character. With each sub-character having an influence on Stan’s persona, the story illustrates how as he enters the world of the rich and meets Dr. Ritter and Ezra, he starts to act like them. This ultimately leads him to his downfall. Moreover, Stan ends up becoming his own cheater; as he tries to deceive others; he ends up deceiving himself.
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A Period Piece That is Still Relevant
Nightmare Alleymight be set in the 20th Century, but the messages it sends out are applicable to the present day. With the protagonist being used to illustrate the consequences of avarice, the film reminds the viewer of what is important. On his journey to becoming a wealthy man, Stan loses his most valuable treasure,Molly (Rooney Mara). Not only does Stan push her to do things she does not like, but he also violates her trust and her innocence, which becomes one key reason why the viewers dislike this protagonist.
The film also gives an overview of the patriarchal society using both Molly and Dr. Ritter. Molly being a mere assistant to Stan and being constantly disregarded by him illustrates how she was simply used by Stan for his benefit. Similarly, Dr. Ritter’s fear of Ezra, as well as the way in which Stan demeans her during their first acquaintance, illustrates the power these men hold over women.
The film’s focus on class distinction is a reminder of the class hierarchy of today. Money seems to be a strong determinant of who pulls the strings of this society. Ezra’s abusive and toxic nature clearly demonstrates the power he holds over almost everyone due to his wealth and gender. The film also touches on the power of storytelling and blind faith. As forewarned by Zeena, elaborative deception can lead to irreconcilable repercussions. This is proved through murder-suicide by Mrs. Kimball.
