Love Lies Bleeding Review: Kristen Stewart Is Better Than Ever In Thrilling Crime Romance

Rose Glass made a big splash with Saint Maud, her directorial feature debut that warped reality and deeply unsettled with its horror elements. Her second feature, Love Lies Bleeding, which she co-wrote with Weronika Tofilska, is no less riveting as it follows a gym employee with a dark past and her bodybuilder girlfriend who become mired in crime and carnal obsession. The film has got a lot of style and its touches of magical realism, while they don’t always work, make for an intense and violent love story that keeps you invested in the outcome of its characters.

Love Lies Bleeding is an action crime film from A24. Directed by Rose Glass, Love Lies Bleeding centers on a gym employee, played by Kristen Stewart, and a bisexual bodybuilder (Katy O’Brian) as they discover how difficult the world of competitive bodybuilding is. The film also stars Jena Malone, Anna Baryshnikov, Dave Franco, and Ed Harris.

Pros

• Love Lies Bleeding keeps us invested in its twisted story
• Kristen Stewart and Katy O’Brian have palpable chemistry
• The drama is compelling and suspenseful

Cons

• The film’s ending isn’t as strong as the rest but it gets the job done

Kristen Stewart & Katy O’Brian Have Sizzling Chemistry

Kristen Stewart and Katy O’Brian are absolutely incredible together. Their chemistry is palpable. Theirs is a passionate kind of love, one where they’re willing to do just about anything to protect each other, even if that means resorting to violence. As Lou, Stewart has tapped into an energy that is all her own. She’s funny, her comedic timing impeccable, constantly shocked and awed by O’Brian’s Jackie. She’s restrained, yet open and occasionally unhinged. Lou is comfortable in her skin, but no less volatile. This aspect elevates Stewart’s performance and gives her an air of sexual prowess and power.

O’Brian’s portrayal shows off her physical tenacity and range. Once Jackie begins taking steroids, her fuse is much shorter, and she goes to great lengths to ensure Lou is safe. O’Brian’s character goes through a plethora of emotions throughout the film and her muscles start to literally pop and enlarge at various points, adding to the desire and need Jackie has for Lou. With such a physically demanding role, O’Brian truly delivers on all fronts. Her rage is believable and her frustration perceptible. Jackie is also vulnerable, and O’Brian is able to delve deeper emotionally with every look and action.

Love Lies Bleeding Is Tense & Gripping

The running theme of the film is obsession — with the body, with a person, with revenge, and righting perceived wrongs. While obsession is on its mind, and the outcome it may lead to, Love Lies Bleeding tackles a multitude of themes, each to varying degrees of success. Aside from Lou and Jackie’s relationship, which drives much of the narrative and stirs up drama, the film explores dysfunctional and abusive family dynamics. But it’s Lou’s relationship with her father, Lou Sr. (Ed Harris), that stands out, especially considering its direct ties with Jackie and the reason Lou can be so protective.

The family dynamics are less strong than Lou and Jackie’s relationship, so when the film shifts to focus on Lou’s sister and father, it doesn’t always land, especially since we’re only offered glimpses into the past and the extent of Lou Sr.’s criminal history. The A24 film’s ending’s attempt to bring everything together isn’t as strong as the first three-quarters of the film, and it could have benefited from a more solid finale considering all that came before, but it still works.

Love Lies Bleeding makes up for its weaker points with its visual style and ferocious sexual tension and action. Glass leans into the fantasy aspect, blurring the lines of reality as only she is capable of doing. It makes everything all the more surreal and exciting as the story builds suspense and things grow more precarious between Lou, Jackie and Lou Sr. The film can be exceptionally gripping and chaotic as Glass takes a no-holds-barred approach without sacrificing the story and characters. The film’s message is clear, and the director executes her vision with skill and euphoric enthusiasm.

The film has a lot going for it — standout performances, an exciting story, and an all-consuming romance. Crucially, Glass has an impressive storytelling style and with only two features under her belt, she’s established herself as a filmmaker to keep an eye on. Love Lies Bleeding is practically guttural, and the emotions that take hold of each character are raw and unfiltered. With action, crime, and romance mingling and building toward an explosive and engaging finale, the film is a thrilling ride from start to finish.