“Fresh” Movie Review by Stephanie Chapman : Pop Culture Leftovers

“Fresh” Movie Review by Stephanie Chapman

April 1, 2022 7:36 pm |

Disclaimer: Do not let anyone spoil this film for you. It is best viewed without knowing anything about the plot. You have been warned.

“Fresh” is arguably the strangest and wildest ride you will likely take while watching a film this year. Whoever was in charge of creating and editing the trailer was masterful at redirection. Be prepared to take a wild and uncomfortable ride into the mind of a man who dabbles in the forbidden.

Written by Lauryn Kahn and Directed by Mimi Cave, “Fresh” starts out as a fairly predictable story about a young woman “Noa” (played by Daisy-Edgar Jones) who after numerous dating disasters finds companionship and attraction in “Steve” (played by Sebastian Stan). The relationship is progressing quickly but for “Noa” all signs point to the start of something amazing on the horizon.

Then suddenly, after deciding to take a trip together things take a turn into the bizarre and forbidden. Sebastian Stan delivers a performance unlike anything audiences have ever seen from him. The charm and charisma oozing from his character is hard to deny even after a major bombshell is revealed making his character less than reputable. Audiences may find themselves hating his character but not wanting any harm to come to him because that charm is simply undeniable.

The depiction of “Noa” by Daisy- Edgar Jones is the result of perfect casting. An awkward young woman trying to make her way through a sea of jerks in the dating scene is perfectly depicted. The desperation from her character that follows provides the audience with nothing short of a series of scenes that are nailbiters at worst and edge-of-your-seat exciting at best. One can only imagine how difficult it would be to find yourself in this situation in real life but Jones is brilliant at putting the audience in “Noa’s” shoes (or chair…wink wink).

The film is rounded out by a stellar supporting cast (Jojo T. Gibbs as Noa’s best friend “Mollie”, Dayo Okeniyi as “Paul” and Charlotte Le Bon as “Anne”), that bring laughs at the right moments and support to the main character in a heartwarming and reassuring way. Please stop what you are doing and make time to watch this film which is currently available on Hulu. Not only will you not be disappointed but it might certainly change your expectations for film in the coming months as this film has set a bar that will be hard to surpass.

PCL Rating: Tupperware

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: FRESH (ironically enough)