Love Lies Bleeding is a 2024 crime thriller starring Kristen Stewart and Katy O’brian. It is an A24 production directed by Rose Glass. The film pulls no punches at all and takes the viewer on an intense ride from start to finish. It’s a love story and a crime story with strong elements of horror and gore. Plus, there is a bit of surrealism here which some will find amazing and others may not enjoy.

What is Love Lies Bleeding About?

The story is set in the 1980’s. It opens in a rough and grimy gym. This is not the kind of place that tells you to believe in yourself and do your best. It’s the type where everyone is constantly drenched in sweat, the bathrooms are filthy, and the signs say things like “Pain is weakness leaving your body.”

Kristen Stewart’s character Lou manages the place. One day a woman who is working her way to a body building competition in Las Vegas starts coming to the gym. This is Jackie, played by O’Brian and the two soon fall in love.

There are major complications. Lou has an obsessive and flirtatious ex-girlfriend. She has a sister who is being abused by Lou’s brother in law. And Lou’s father is a vicious criminal acting like an upstanding citizen in the community. Lou’s father is played by Ed Harris.

Things come to a head when Lou’s sister ends up in the hospital. Lou wants to do something to stop her brother in law. But it’s Jackie who takes action. And this action leads to a course of events that throws the characters into inevitable conflict with a trail of bodies behind them.

I don’t want to give too much away here but the plot gets rather complicated and connects all of the players.

The production design and acting are incredible

The production and set design here are outstanding. It’s set in the 1980s. But it looks and feels like the 80s really did. There are muscle men wearing pink neon. But the hair, the outfits, all of it fits together. This isn’t someone’s idea of the 80’s it’s the lived experience.

Everyone seems to be sweating in the movie and it’s almost as if you want to wipe the grime off the screen yourself. It really works for the tone of the film.

Kristen Stewart gives a complex and amazing performance, balancing romantic interests, a life falling apart, and intense action sequences all at once. But it’s Katy O’Brian who really shines here. The physicality of the role had to be intense. And her strong body is in direct contrast to her vulnerable emotions throughout the film.

And I have to give Ed Harris his usual credit here. He’s always amazing but he plays an outstanding villain here who is cold, ruthless, and intelligent.

The ending is not for everyone

As good as the film is, it’s not perfect. The ending is definitely divisive here. Some will love it while others are going to find it silly and confusing. I think it ultimately works. But it’s tough to tell how metaphorical it’s meant to be. I found it to be satisfying and it does wrap up the story.

There are enough shocking and intense moments to forgive anything here that seems a bit off. But one does wonder if the film would be better served without the surrealist elements that do show up. Either way, it works in the end and stays true to the intention of the film.

Love Lies Bleeding In Conclusion

If you’re looking for a crime thriller in an unexpected setting this is a great one. It’s in an odd world of bodybuilding in the 80’s and it just works as far as the story goes. But it does take a while to warm up. You might say it’s a slow burn. But by the point things do get burning, it’s a raging inferno which does not stop. Expect to have some mixed feelings about the end but if you haven’t seen this you’re in for quite the ride.

Thrillingly yours,

Slick Dungeon

P.S. Want to read more of my movie reviews? Check this one out here!