Frustrated by scrolling dating apps only to end up on lame, tedious dates, Noa takes a chance by giving her number to the awkwardly charming Steve after a produce-section meet-cute at the grocery store.
- Released: 2022-03-03
- Runtime: 114 minutes
- Genre: Horror, Romance, Thrillers
- Stars: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Sebastian Stan, Jonica T. Gibbs, Andrea Bang, Dayo Okeniyi, Charlotte Le Bon, Brett Dier, Alina Maris, William Belleau, Lachlan Quarmby, Sunghee Lapell, Arghavan Jenati, Anthony Ingram, Frances Leigh, Lance Birley, Joe Costa, Larry Hoe, Scott McGrath, Robert Corness, Arghavan Jenati
- Director: Mimi Cave
Comments
- wjdowney - 15 May 2024
Tasteless - No pun intended
I never write movie reviews, but I must say something about this film. It may be the most revolting movie that I have ever seen. I truly think it crosses the line. I tried to watch it, but could not take any more of it after about thirty minutes in. I really don't understand how any actor, producer, artist etc would want to be associated with this film. I can think of maybe two subjects that would be more revolting, and I am certainly not going to even say what those are. I find absolutely no value in this film. If I could complain to Hulu, I would. Very disappointed that Daisy Jones would take this script. - savannahrpeterson - 6 March 2024
Embodiment of Real-Life Horror **Possible Spoiler Alerts**
**Possible Spoiler Alerts** The film Fresh by Mimi Cave is a refreshingly disturbing take on cannibalism, torture, dating gone wrong, and real life fears on the big scream.
Modern day horror and traditional horror has the villain or monster painted as a mythical creature out of the realm of possibility. In Fresh this is not the case as our monster is seemingly friendly, helps people, is a living breathing human being just like any other person. The psychological torture that the characters go through creates a personal connection that the audience can relate to. The relatability for the viewers to the characters allows for the audience to feel as if they are in the shoes of those that are suffering.
For me my favorite genre of horror is psychological horror that is realistic and makes you think about your life and the encounters you have with those around you. I highly recommend this film as it is nothing like I have watched before and is relatable is such a fantastically horrible way that you can't stop thinking about it. - ejamrozy - 4 March 2024
A Perfect Balance between Tension and Dark Humor
As it stands, the film "Fresh" is an expertly written dialogue on the exploration of familial struggles, societal pressures, and the modern dating scene. Mimi Cave captivates her audience through the balance of tension and dark humor throughout the film, which both keeps the audience engaged while allowing them to come up for air when things get seemingly too dark. This is best done through the use of the relationship between Noa and Steve, while dark and twisted you almost see the human side of Steve even in his darkest moments. And the experience of watching Noa grapple with her life-or-death situation is enthralling. Throughout the film, we almost are led to believe that Noa is just as sick as Steve is, and that in itself is extremely impressive storytelling. Mimi Cave keeps us on the edge of our seats for most of the film through the expertly done cinematography and the continual growing tension.
The relationships between Steve, Mollie, and Noa are another aspect of this film that I believe is extremely well done. Mollie as the middle man, for lack of better words, allows the audience to resonate with someone who isn't blinded and seemingly sees things clearly. When Mollie is ultimately captured by Steve and his wife, it almost makes our (the audience's) safety net disappear, because up until that point, we are led to believe that she is going to be the hero or savior of the film. Overall, "Fresh" is very well done in terms of cinematic storytelling, with its gripping narrative and character depth, this film is sure to leave a long-lasting impression on its audience. - expertocrede - 26 December 2022
Best debut?
I opened the movie and it directly pulls me into scenes, I was never bored at all, even I can't blink my eye. All scenes are full with curiosity. I feel all tension with Noa, I can sense something but I never sure about the story. Until the 33rd minute, we can not see any intro even the movie name, but when you wake up with Noa all intro flow down. Scene transition, camera movements all of them absolutely fantastic. I perceive the patience of Noa directly, throughout the movie until her knock. Also, human body parts and fleshes look like very real it is impressed me. After the final scene, I realized this movie is the directors debut... What a success! I am looking forward to the upcoming movies by the director. - pkpera - 10 November 2022
Too long for such flow of events
Comedy ? Not at all. How some can so misjudge it ? There was no humor at all, and that would actually be bad thing if there was it. Yes, there was scene with speed up packing, but was not funny, especially knowing what is packed. Just lame attempt for ... what ?
I admit, watched it because Daisy Edgar Jones - she was in some really good movies, serials. Well, this was worst, what I saw with her. And she played material well, as most of actors.
It was solid until about end of first hour, then became slow, repetitive, and final fights were mostly stupid. Every normal viewer expected what every normal person would do with villain - kill him ASAP - yes, in that situation only reasonable act. But of course, it just happened not, even if there were good chances for it. They just wanted that it last longer, but that ruined effectiveness. And very final scene ... WTH ?
Reminded me on another cannibalism movie what I watched - the famous Silence of the Lambs. That was masterpiece. Only similarity is that it is doctor in both movies. - clark-ingleton - 13 October 2022
Amazing first act. Stupid final act
Fresh stars Daisy Edgar-Jones, Sebastion Stan and Jonica T. Gibbs, and is directed by Mimi Cave in her directorial debut.
It tells the story of 20-something, Noa, played by Daisy Edgar-Jones, trying to navigate the modern dating world. After a disappointing dating experience, she happens upon the charming, charismatic, seemingly harmless Steve, played by Sebastian Stan, who takes her on holiday to his fortress-like summer home very early in their relationship, where he holds her and several other women captive in order to harvest their flesh to sell to rich male consumers.
Barely ever has a movie got me so into it and loving it in the first act, only to fall into something that I thought was really stupid in the final act. The first half hour is masterful. Before a belated title card and opening credits, not unlike The Empty Man, the opening scene is her on a date with someone, where any and every awkward and unpleasant moment of a date gone wrong is shown to us in such an astutely cringey way that it's genius. The film is then paced excellently, as she meets Steve, they get to know each other, we meet her sassy best friend, played by Jonica T. Gibbs, all leading to one of the better drink-spiking scenes I've seen in a movie.
The final act then becomes a barrage of plot holes, predictable moments, and oddly inconsistent character behaviour. There's a bartender character who was completely unnecessary to even be in the movie, and when he has the opportunity to do something useful at Steve's summer home, he gets scared and leaves. There are little moments of violence that seemed brashly childish and unsubtle, and whereas the scathing humour of the nightmares of dating in the first act actually worked, the darkly sadistic humour in the final act fell flat on its face (sometimes literally).
Steve's main objective of harvesting the meat of women is to sell the meat to mega rich male cannibals (the 1% of the 1% as Steve calls the market), who pay a hefty dollar to consume these decadent delicacies. There is an interesting comment to be made there along the lines of: men who have everything, who have endless resources at their disposal, who are untouchable, who have no doubt done terrible things to get where they are - what more can they do to brandish their endless power? Perhaps the only thing left is to literally consume the meat of women to fulfill their unfulfillable, extravagant lives. There could be a criticism to be made on the mega rich 1% - when is enough enough, or is it ever enough? But the film just doesn't go there.
It's an impressive directing debut, Mimi Cave has a distinct vision and style, and I'm keen to see what she does next. But the silliness of the final act, and the missed opportunity to really say something about the mega rich brought this one down for me.
