Red Rocket
swinging between a 4.5 and a 5. holy shit. I don't even know what to say. this movie captures an anxiety, similar to the safdies brothers' uncut gems & good time, and, similarly, offers a unique character study of a deeply, deeply flawed, terrible character. this film highlights the inherent misogyny at play in certain spaces that have been mythologized to uphold womens' sexual liberation. it highlights the way society has commodified the feminist idea of womens' sexual autonomy, to sell it back to them, in the form of exploitation. it highlights an under-recognized part of society, with such fervorous honesty, that's rarely found on screen. the pacing and editing give it a structure that feels like a string of vignettes. it feels like the thought patterns going through our protagonist's head - a constant jumping from one decision to the next, each one stripping away more of his humanity. this movie looks incredible. I love the very intentional camera work. I would've never guessed Simon Rex had a performance like this in him. yeah, wow. holy shit.
update: it's a five. I might write more tomorrow idk