Nightmare Alley

Movie Trailer

Release Date
December 17, 2021

Genre
Psychological Thriller, Drama, Film Noir

Cast & Crew

• Bradley Cooper as Stanton “Stan” Carlisle
• Cate Blanchett as Dr. Lilith Ritter
• Rooney Mara as Molly Cahill
• Willem Dafoe as Clem Hoatley
• Toni Collette as Zeena Krumbein
• Richard Jenkins as Ezra Grindle
• Ron Perlman as Bruno
• David Strathairn as Pete Krumbein

Director
Guillermo del Toro

Other Movies Director is Known For

• The Shape of Water (2017)
• Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
• Crimson Peak (2015)
• Pacific Rim (2013)
• Hellboy (2004)

Producer
Guillermo del Toro, J. Miles Dale, Bradley Cooper

Writer
Guillermo del Toro, Kim Morgan (screenplay), based on the novel Nightmare Alley by William Lindsay Gresham

Budget
Estimated at $60 million

Production Company
Searchlight Pictures, TSG Entertainment, Double Dare You Productions

Running Time
150 minutes

Languages
English

Maturity Rating
R

Content Advisory

• Strong violence
• Disturbing images
• Sexual content
• Nudity

Movie Story
Nightmare Alley is a dark, visually striking psychological thriller that explores the depths of human ambition, greed, and deception. Directed by Guillermo del Toro, the film is an adaptation of the 1946 novel by William Lindsay Gresham and delves into the shadowy world of carnival grifters and high-society conmen.

The story follows Stanton “Stan” Carlisle (Bradley Cooper), a charismatic but morally ambiguous drifter who joins a traveling carnival after fleeing from a mysterious past. At the carnival, Stan learns the tricks of the trade from mentalist Zeena Krumbein (Toni Collette) and her alcoholic husband, Pete (David Strathairn). Stan quickly grasps the art of cold reading and deception, developing his own skills as a manipulative showman.

Driven by a desire for wealth and power, Stan leaves the carnival with fellow performer Molly Cahill (Rooney Mara) and reinvents himself as a high-society mentalist in 1940s New York. With his newfound success, Stan attracts the attention of the wealthy and influential, including the dangerous tycoon Ezra Grindle (Richard Jenkins). However, Stan’s ambition leads him down a darker path when he crosses paths with the cunning and enigmatic psychiatrist Dr. Lilith Ritter (Cate Blanchett).

Dr. Ritter recognizes Stan’s potential and offers to help him exploit the vulnerabilities of the rich and powerful for greater financial gain. The two form a dangerous alliance, manipulating their targets with psychological precision. However, as Stan becomes increasingly entangled in a web of lies and deceit, his past begins to catch up with him, leading to a downward spiral that threatens to destroy everything he has built.

Nightmare Alley is a tale of moral decay and the consequences of unchecked ambition. The film’s narrative is a slow burn, gradually revealing the complexities of its characters and the dark undercurrents that drive them. Guillermo del Toro’s direction brings a haunting and visually rich atmosphere to the story, with the film’s noir-inspired aesthetic enhancing its themes of duplicity and corruption.

Special Effects
The special effects in Nightmare Alley are used subtly but effectively, enhancing the film’s moody, noirish atmosphere. The production design is a standout, with meticulously crafted sets that evoke the seedy underbelly of the carnival world and the opulent but hollow grandeur of high society. The cinematography, by Dan Laustsen, complements del Toro’s vision with its use of shadows, lighting, and color to create a sense of foreboding and tension throughout the film. The practical effects and period-accurate costumes further immerse the viewer in the dark, alluring world of the story.

Box Office Performance
Despite critical acclaim, Nightmare Alley underperformed at the box office, grossing around $39 million worldwide against its $60 million budget. The film’s release during the COVID-19 pandemic likely impacted its commercial performance. However, its release on streaming platforms and subsequent awards season recognition helped it reach a broader audience, solidifying its status as a critically acclaimed film.

Filming Locations

• Buffalo, New York, USA
• Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Notable Quotes

• “When a man believes his own lies, starts believing that he has the power… he’s got to pay the price.” – Pete Krumbein
• “You’ve had your fun, now it’s time to wake up.” – Dr. Lilith Ritter
• “I was born for it.” – Stan Carlisle

Behind-the-Scenes
Guillermo del Toro, known for his masterful storytelling and visual artistry, took great care in adapting Nightmare Alley. The film is his first since The Shape of Water and marks a departure from his usual fantasy elements, focusing instead on the real-world horrors of human nature. Del Toro worked closely with production designer Tamara Deverell and costume designer Luis Sequeira to create a visually arresting film that pays homage to classic film noir while exploring the psychological depths of its characters. The ensemble cast, led by Bradley Cooper and Cate Blanchett, delivered performances that were both compelling and haunting, contributing to the film’s critical success.

Awards

• Nominated for 4 Academy Awards (Best Picture, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design)
• Nominated for BAFTA Awards (Best Cinematography, Best Production Design)
• Won Saturn Award (Best Film Director – Guillermo del Toro)

Final Verdict
Nightmare Alley is a visually stunning and deeply unsettling psychological thriller that explores the darker aspects of human nature. Guillermo del Toro’s meticulous direction and the film’s strong performances, particularly from Bradley Cooper and Cate Blanchett, make it a compelling watch for fans of film noir and psychological drama. While it may not have been a commercial hit, its rich storytelling and haunting atmosphere ensure it will be remembered as a standout film in del Toro’s oeuvre.

IMDb Rating
7.0/10