Promising Young Woman thrills and entertains!
Cassandra was a “promising young woman” in med school who inexplicably drops out of school. Years later, she is still living at home with her parents, she’s working at a coffee shop and is leading a double life. Yep, a double life because at night you’ll typically find her trapping men who prey on girls and women they can take advantage of. How she goes about it and what she does, well you’ll just have to watch the movie for those details…and trust me, it’s better that way.
But that is only one part of the story.
When she is reconnected with a former classmate, why she quit med school and why she has decided to serve out justice night after night is revealed. That meeting also sets off a chain of events towards the retribution of the wrong that was done. While frustrating at times (because you really want to know), I like how they gave you bits and pieces of the back story throughout the film and answer most of your questions, at least as to what happened.
They waste no time jumping into the film with an opening scene that sets the tone for the rest of the movie. As the story unfolds, the way Cassie goes about getting vindication is twisted, yet so creative. I almost felt bad that I was rooting for her…almost. The story line kept me guessing and there were definitely a few shockers.
Carey Mulligan does an outstanding job in her role. I personally think she should at least be nominated for an award because there were so many aspects to her character and she pulled them all off like a champ. I also think that Emerald Fennell did a fantastic job in her directorial theatrical debut. The way they were both able to shed light on a sensitive topic in an interesting way was impressive…and necessary.
Given its content, and nature of the story, this film is not appropriate for children.
Overall Thoughts
This is not the sort of movie I usually enjoy but there was something about this film and Cassandra’s character that had me all in. I was riveted, shocked, confused, happy, sad…all around entertained. I also did my fair share of laughing. There is so much going on in this movie that you can overlook some of things that just don’t make sense.
You can catch Promising Young Woman in theaters, where available, on Christmas day.
About Promising Young Woman
From visionary director, Emerald Fennell (Killing Eve) comes a delicious new take on revenge. Everyone said Cassie (Carey Mulligan) was a promising young woman… until a mysterious event abruptly derailed her future. But nothing in Cassie’s life is what it appears to be: she’s wickedly smart, tantalizingly cunning, and she’s living a secret double life by night. Now, an unexpected encounter is about to give Cassie a chance to right the wrongs of the past in this thrilling and wildly entertaining story.
