Watch Somebody's Darling

Somebody's Darling from 2016 is a psychological horror movie that sketches the story of a young college student, Sarah (Jessa Settle), who becomes fascinated by the enigmatic but handsome frat boy, David (Paul Galvan), and how her infatuation leads her to explore the dark side of her supposedly ideal life. The movie begins with Sarah, a hardworking and ambitious student, navigating her way through the college's social hierarchy, trying to find a place where she can belong. One day, she encounters David at a party, and their connection becomes apparent. David, the charismatic and mysterious campus playboy, seduces and lures Sarah into his private world, where the nights are long, and the secrets are plenty.

As Sarah finds herself in David's company more often than not, she starts discovering unsettling things about him and his fraternity. She's intrigued and repulsed by the sacrifice rituals happening in the fraternity's basement, where David holds her prisoner and forces her to watch.

The movie delves deep into the theme of identity crisis, where Sarah tries to find her place in the world and discover who she is as a person by surrounding herself with the wrong people consciously. Her attraction to David blinds her judgment, and she loses herself to the temptations of David's world.

The cinematography of the movie is exceptional. It beautifully captures the contrast between Sarah's bright and bubbly life on the surface, and the darkness that lurks just beneath the surface. The shots of the fraternity basement, with it's erie lighting, bring an oppressive atmosphere, and force the audience to feel as captured as Sarah is.

The performances are undoubtedly the strong points of the movie. Paul Galvan's portrayal of David gives life to a charismatic, yet terrifying character. His effortless charm and good looks mask the sinister plot he has in store for Sarah. Jessa Settle, on the other hand, steals the show with her quiet but powerful portrayal of Sarah. Her transformation throughout the movie from an innocent student to a haunted captive is both riveting and eerie.

Besides the two leads, the supporting cast also deserves a shoutout. Fred Parker Jr. is excellent as the senior frat boy who tries to keep Sarah away from David's dangerous influence. He brings a raw energy and conviction to his role, which makes his character feel genuine in its intentions.

Even though the movie's ending feels a bit anticlimactic, it does manage to leave a profound impact on the viewer. It prompts the viewers' imagination to wonder about Sarah's future, and what's going to become of her. Given the movie's themes of identity crisis, peer pressure, and submission, the ending feels, if not happy, then eerie and thought-provoking.

In conclusion, Somebody's Darling is an intense psychological horror movie that navigates the blurred line between acceptance and self-discovery. It showcases the dangers of giving in to social pressure and puts the audience in the shoes of a victim, all while maintaining a creative control over the emotional narrative it wants to present. Surely, an entertaining watch for anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers.

Somebody's Darling is a 2016 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 20 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8.