In the time of dating apps dominating the millennial love-life, the social horror Hulu film Fresh captures the delicacy and fantasy of meeting “the one” without the help of match-makers. But trusting a stranger comes with our worst fears. Lead character Noa, played by Normal People actress Daisy Edgar-Jones, finds herself swept up in an inescapable bloody romance with a cannibal man, Steve, played by Sebastian Stan. With the failures of online dating, Noa is losing hope in love when suddenly Steve appears in front of her and hits that soft place when she is feeling vulnerable.
One of the producers, Adam McKay, who was the director and writer of the Netflix movie Don’t Look Up as well as Vice, had a great casting list involving Stan as one of the lead roles. The iconic actor has been on a roll with playing sexy villains, such as starring in Jessica Chastain’s film 355 as well as another Hulu hit series Pam & Tommy. Stan’s big following fanbase and the consecutiveness of his screen appearances may have partially contributed to Fresh’s publicity.
The award-winning woman director, Mimi Cave, accurately portrays relatable frustrations in dealing with online dating, capturing the not-so-ideal reality of it. The constant disappointments and lack of chemistry people find through meeting people online are portrayed in a way that is extremely current and is a common struggle. With that in contrast, it also does a perfect depiction of the modern glorification, attraction, and desire to meet someone in an organic way because of how rare and scarce the chances are.
As the theme of women empowerment is a big focus in the present day, the film shows the determination and strong bond between friends. Instead of throwing in a white man savior complex, Noa’s best friend, Mollie, realizes something is wrong and unusual with Noa’s communication and starts deep-diving. The genuine friendship shows how women have each other’s backs and always look out for one another. In the end, the unified effort helps them take down the bad guy. Noa tests her intelligence to seduce and manipulate Steve into rescuing herself and the other women victims.
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During Noa’s big escape plan, the audience can see a moment where Noa and Steve are both dancing together in synchronization, performing like a pack. It seems presentational and breaks the fourth wall, giving the audience a sudden realization and suspense, “Hold on a minute, are they teaming up now? Did Noa finally give in and go delusional like Steve after eating human meat?” However, the con artist who we thought had fooled her is fooled by her. The irony of Steve constantly telling the heroine that she was “different” from other girls was indeed true as she became the first girl to put an end to the serial killer’s illegal meat business.
The film comes full circle with the same cheeky energy as to how the film began. The banger song, “Heads Will Roll,” plays in the background while the shot cuts to Noa’s phone screen. She gets a text notification from another online match, “maybe Chad” subtly referring to the modern joke, a name for a typical white man. The depiction of the detachment to the ignorant online world and the world of chaos that happens in reality is a nice final touch to wrap up the film.