The Don’t Worry Darling press tour took on a lifetime of its own. It morphed and ballooned with each headline and meme, snowballing right into a colossal Bingo card of celebrity news that included the connection between director Olivia Wilde and leading man Harry Styles, speculation of tensions on set between the couple and star Florence Pugh, Styles allegedly spitting on Chris Pine on the Venice Film Festival, and the revelation that a lot of KiKi Layne and Ari’el Stachel’s scenes were cut. Along the way in which, it also gave us “Miss Flo,” perhaps the very best video footage of an Aperol Spritz, and even something a few salad dressing recipe. But somewhere, in all the chaos, is a movie.
Wilde would love for us to keep in mind that, too. “This film is attempting to ask big questions, but [it’s] ‘Let’s just give attention to this sideshow over here,’” she told ELLE regarding the media and public’s attention on the gossip surrounding Don’t Worry Darling somewhat than the work itself.
Possibly there is a likelihood that might finally occur—viewers turning their attention to those big questions—now that the frenzy is somewhat dying down and the film begins streaming next week. (Granted, the discourse had already begun with theatergoers who dissected the film’s tackle feminism and sex, Styles’ acting, and the effectiveness of that big plot twist.) After opening in cinemas on Sept. 23 with a formidable $30 million global debut on the box office, Don’t Worry Darling will finally be streaming on HBO Max on Monday, Nov. 7.
If you happen to need a refresher: Wilde’s sophomore film as a director follows Nineteen Fifties housewife Alice (Pugh) and her businessman husband Jack (Styles), who live in an idyllic community generally known as Victory. When she starts asking questions on Jack’s mysterious work and disturbing events of their town, their picture-perfect life starts to unravel.
The visually stunning thriller is sort of as shocking because the press tour that preceded it, but you will have to observe it to guage for yourself.
Available Nov. 7
Don’t Worry Darling
Available Nov. 7
Don’t Worry Darling
Credit: Alon Amir
Erica Gonzales is the Senior Culture Editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage on TV, movies, music, books, and more. She was previously an editor at HarpersBAZAAR.com. There may be a 75 percent likelihood she’s listening to Lorde right away.
