Ho do you follow up a banger of a debut feature like the religious horror Saint Maud? With a sweaty, sapphic, ’80s-set crime drama immersed in the ‘roided-up world of competition bodybuilding. You know, that old chestnut.
How to watch Love Lies Bleeding in New Zealand
Love Lies Bleeding is in New Zealand cinemas from May 3.
Love Lies Bleeding
What is Love Lies Bleeding about?
It’s 1989, and gym manager Lou has a meet-cute that leads to a torrid affair with aspiring bodybuilder Jackie. However, Lou’s criminal family is lurking in the background, ready to mess things up, while Jackie’s growing addiction leads to psychosis and violence. It’s all very, very, queer, primal, sweaty, and sexy. Did we mention it’s an A24 film? Did we have to?
The cast of Love Lies Bleeding
Kristen Stewart, who you may recall from those Twilight flicks a few years back, is Lou; Katy O’Brian of The Mandalorian is Jackie; the great Ed Harris, sporting the weirdest haircut of his career, is Lou Sr., Lou’s criminal father; Zack Snyder regular Jena Malone is Beth, Lou’s sister; Dave “the good one” Franco is J.J., Beth’s abusive husband; and Anna Baryshnikov is Daisy, Lou’s former girlfriend/current stalker.
Love Lies Bleeding Trailer
Why we’re excited about Love Lies Bleeding
Director Rose Glass absolutely blew us away with the uncompromising Saint Maud, and seems to have dodged the sophomore slump with this incredibly specific slice of weirdness. We may joke about Twilight, but Kristin Stewart is one of the most exciting actors currently working, while Katy O’Brian’s work here has certainly seen her stock rise, so expect to see a lot more of her in the future. The rest of the cast is absolutely top notch, and let’s face it, we’re not gonna get another movie like Love Lies Bleeding in this or any other year.
