The long-awaited eighth feature from director Edgar Wright, Last Night In Soho, is a nostalgic yet nightmarish tribute to 1960s London.
Edgar Wright is best known for hybrid comedies such as Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz and the crime thriller Baby Driver. At once, a sci-fi adventure, comedy, horror look, and nostalgic 1960s story, this hotchpotch of genres make for a fresh and unpredictable thrill ride through the backstreets of London.
Andrew Bicknell, Anya Taylor-Joy, Diana Rigg, Elizabeth Berrington, James Phelps, Jessie Mei Li, Joakim Skarli, Kassius Nelson, Katrina Vasilieva, Lee Byford, Lisa McGrillis, and more star in this film.
The film’s story is about Eloise, an aspiring fashion designer, mysteriously able to enter the 1960s, where she encounters a dazzling wannabe singer, Sandie (Anya Taylor-Joy). But the glamour is not all it appears to be, and the dreams of the past start to crack and splinter into something far darker.
The rest of the film takes an eviler turn, pitching Last Night in Soho directly into horror territory. It’sIt’s a neat trick, deftly handled by Wright as he mashes ideas together to create a truly unique experience. Both Thomasin McKenzie and Anya Taylor-Joy revel in their wide-eyed, fearful roles.
That question should keep viewers guessing throughout a film that bears all the hallmarks of its creator. A never-ending stream of pop culture references, impressive needle drops, and Wright’sWright’s signature witty asides will please fans, though Last Night in Soho feels far-flung from Shaun of The Dead and Hot Fuzz. Here, Wright has gone on board a different fascinating direction, clearly distinct from what she’s done before. It could be one of his greatest hits.
From its Venice Film Festival debut, it mostly celebrates its stylish time-traveling mashup of British cinema homage and unique spin on Giallo horror and its dual-lead performances from Thomasin McKenzie and Anya Taylor-Joy and loving showcase for screen icons such as the late Diana Rigg.
