‘Fresh’ Review: Love Bites in This Gripping Horror-Comedy
If you’re looking for a date night movie to get your heart racing, you might want to pass on “Fresh.” This deliciously dark comedy about modern dating hides a gruesome secret under its beaming smile.
After a disastrous string of dates, Noa, a woman on the brink of giving up on love, meets Steve. He’s handsome, charming, and seems almost too good to be true. Well, he is. “Fresh” plays with familiar tropes, leading us down the alleyway of a budding romance before taking a sharp, unsettling turn.
While “Fresh” initially presents itself as a typical rom-com, the early red flags are subtle but present. Noa’s best friend, Mollie, is understandably skeptical, voicing her concerns. Steve’s politeness dips into the uncanny, attempting to mold Noa into his ideal.
But the real horrors unfold when Noa finds herself trapped, literally and figuratively.
Director Mimi Cave expertly flips the script. The film’s brilliance lies not only in the shocking reveal but in the way it uses satire to expose the subtle horrors of the dating world. As their relationship progresses, or rather, implodes, we’re reminded of the subtle dangers that lurks below the surface of modern romance.
Sebastian Stan gives a mesmerizing performance as Steve. Both charmingly charismatic and chillingly sinister, Stan perfectly embodies the duality of the character. Daisy Edgar-Jones shines as Noa, portraying vulnerable yet resilient, imbuing her role with believable strength and vulnerability.
“Fresh” doesn’t shy away from the gruesome. You’ll witness unsettling culinary preparations that turn meals into a visceral, shocking spectacle.
“Fresh” isn’t a passive watch – it’ll leave you feeling deeply unsettled. It sparks conversation about consent and the often-overlooked dangers within the dating scene. The film is a healthy reminder to never underestimate the monsters hiding in plain sight, often masked by a charming smile and a bouquet of lilies.
