It seems as though some people are having trouble deciding what category the new film Promising Young Woman falls into. Is it an evolution of the chick flick, with its overtones of Girl Power (however warped it may be)? Is it a psychological thriller? Is it a horror? (There’s definitely horrifying things that happen in it). Whatever category it belongs in, all we know is that it is unmissable.
Written and directed by the inimitable Emerald Fennell and starring the exquisite Carey Mulligan (in a brash role that we’ve never seen her in before), the film is now available on Sky Cinema, so you can watch it and decide what category it falls into for yourself.
The story follows Cassie, who dropped out of med school following the loss of her best friend Nina, who committed suicide after a classmate raped her. In her grief, Cassie finds a way to punish the people involved in Nina’s assault, concocting a faux-drunk act to lure predators in before enacting her revenge.
And if that storyline isn’t enough to hook you in, we’ve got ten more reasons why you should watch Promising Young Woman coming straight up.
1 It’s writer-director Emerald Fennell’s debut film
Emerald Fennell is a woman with a scrolling resume including actress (The Crown) and showrunner (Killing Eve), and now she’s adding writer and director with the already much-praised Promising Young Woman.
2 Carey Mulligan is nothing short of brilliant
When you hear the name Carey Mulligan, it’s easy to think of her soft voice, delicate features and penchant for period films that see her as a pretty ingenue – think of P_ride & Prejudice, An Education, The Great Gatsby,_ and Far from the Maddening Crowd. In Promising Young Woman, Mulligan breaks her typecast to play a dangerous and damaged woman – and she does it incredibly.
3 The casting is just so good
Aside from Mulligan, we see Bo Burnham, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Chris Lowell as some of the film’s “douchebags” (that’s Cassie’s name for them). It’s a really clever turn of casting, given that all three of those actors are known off-screen for their loveable, harmless personalities. And it makes their on-screen actions all the harder to watch.
4 It also stars Jennifer Coolidge
Need we say more?
5 And Lavern Cox
Honestly, there’s just so many great women in this film.
6 The costumes are everything
When we heard that costume designer Nancy Steiner was involved in the film, our hopes got very high. After all, she did the costumes on The Virgin Suicides and Twin Peaks: The Return. And Nancy did not disappoint. From business casual skirt suits to a red-stilettoed nurse outfit, it’s worth watching this film for the wardrobe alone.
7 The soundtrack is top notch
With the likes of Cyn, Maya B, Charli XCX and Sky Ferreira lending their songs to the soundtrack, you know it’s good. Like, really good.
8 It’s got some really good one-liners
In one scene, a guy turns to Cassie and says, “You’re not even that hot!” and without missing a beat, she returns, “You’re hardly dropping panties yourself. When was the last time you scored in daylight?” We’re saving that one, and we going to use it.
9 It’s won lots of awards
At the 2021 Bafta Film Awards, this film scooped up two of the biggest awards – Outstanding British Film and Original Screenplay, while at this year's Oscars, Emerald Fennell picked up the award for Best Original Screenplay too!
10 The film’s finale is shocking
Trust us. You need to see this.
Promising Young Woman is now available on Sky Cinema, the Home of Sky Original films – watch it now