Don’t Worry Darling (2022) – A Glossy Psychological Thriller with Secrets Beneath the Surface
Genre: Psychological Thriller / Mystery / Drama
Director: Olivia Wilde
Starring: Florence Pugh, Harry Styles, Chris Pine, Olivia Wilde, Gemma Chan
Don’t Worry Darling (2022), directed by Olivia Wilde, is a visually stunning psychological thriller that dives into the illusion of perfection and the cost of conformity. Set in an idyllic 1950s-style experimental community called Victory, the film follows a young housewife who begins to question the world around her—and what lies beneath its carefully curated surface.
Florence Pugh stars as Alice Chambers, a devoted wife living a seemingly perfect life with her husband Jack (Harry Styles). Every day, Jack leaves for his mysterious job at the Victory Project, a top-secret operation run by the charismatic Frank (Chris Pine). But when Alice starts to notice strange inconsistencies and unexplained events, her reality begins to unravel. Her growing paranoia clashes with the community’s rigid expectations, pushing her closer to a chilling truth.
Pugh delivers a gripping performance, anchoring the film with emotional intensity and vulnerability. She brings depth to Alice’s psychological unraveling, making her transformation from content homemaker to questioning rebel compelling and believable. Harry Styles holds his own in a dramatic role, though the emotional weight of the story clearly rests on Pugh’s shoulders.
The film excels in its production design—saturated colors, sleek mid-century aesthetics, and eerie symmetry create a hauntingly beautiful environment that feels both nostalgic and unsettling. The score and sound design further heighten the tension, adding to the sense that something is deeply wrong beneath the surface.
However, Don’t Worry Darling received mixed reviews for its screenplay, with some critics pointing to a predictable twist and underdeveloped thematic elements. Despite that, the film succeeds in sparking conversation about gender roles, autonomy, and control—drawing clear inspiration from classics like The Stepford Wives and The Truman Show.
Stylish, provocative, and anchored by a powerhouse performance from Florence Pugh, Don’t Worry Darling may not answer every question it raises, but it creates a chilling, immersive atmosphere that lingers long after the credits roll.
