In 1980s New Mexico, gym manager Lou (Kristen Stewart) meets and falls for body builder Jackie (Katy O’Brian). When their new relationship is integrated with Lou’s family, especially brother-in-law, JJ (Dave France) and father, Lou Sr (Ed Harris), they find themselves driven to violence to save each other.
Raunchy, gory, and funny, Love Lies Bleeding is the latest entry in A24’s catalogue of surreal, arthouse films. It looks beautiful, taking the time to paint pictures that add to the story with its shots (I wondered if this was worth mentioning when I watched the film, and then realised it is, because not all films do), and really leans into its surrealistic nature- only adding to its visually compelling nature.
Stewart and O’Brian lean into the surrealism of the film, and O’Brian especially shines through, switching from ambitious to off-beat, to a little bit out of her mind at different points in the film.
The film takes many turns, keeping us engaged throughout its 104-minute run time. And most of those turns come from the mysterious activities of Lou’s family. Lou Sr. has created a legacy for his family that rots them from within and is hard to break out of. The film explores how that cycle of violence that has been created manifests itself in different ways in his children, and even grows bigger, infecting more people before it can end.
Breaking free from toxic situations can be very difficult, especially when they involve family. The familiarity of old patterns, no matter how bad we recognise them to be, can easily draw us in – and even more so when our backs are against the wall as Lou and Jackie both find in this film. The film presents that love makes us fight for what matters and can also be what frees us from toxic cycles, if we find things worth fighting for.
Love Lies Bleeding is available in theatres on Friday, March 15th, 2024.
