Fresh is part romantic comedy, part thriller, and all fun. It is grotesque and disturbing at times, but also strangely satisfying.
Chilling, terrifying, disturbing, and disgusting, Fresh is completely captivating from the very start, and then just gets better. This movie is part romantic comedy, part horror, and all fun. Sebastian Stan delivers one of his best performances as a man with bizarre tastes that is full of charisma. Daisy Edgar-Jones is also incredible — and the two have great on screen chemistry.
The story starts with Noa (Edgar-Jones) going on a horrible date with a horrible person. Fed up with men she decides to give up on dating until Steve (Stan) walks into her life. What feels like the start of a beautiful relationship goes completely off track after he invites her to a weekend away. Things don’t play out how she imagined them to at all, and the movie turns into a dark and twisted thriller at the thirty minute mark.
One of the best parts of this movie is the cinematography. Some of the most disturbing and disgusting moments are given to us in flashes and along with it some incredibly shot montages. The longer Fresh goes on, the easier it is to get sucked in. As the plot plays out it becomes more and more clear just how unique this movie is.
Fresh is unlike anything seen before. It is disturbing and intriguing at the same time. It takes a rom-com and adds in thrills, chills, and some insanely horrific scenes. I also really enjoy the friendship between Noa and her best friend Mollie. It is a relationship that comes full circle by the end, and feels completely believable.
Sebastian Stan is bone-chilling and terrifying, yet charming and humorous at the same time. He completely steals every scene that he is in, and is the easy standout of the movie. He is obviously having the time of his life playing this twisted individual. Stan eats up the material given to him, no pun intended, and turns into something truly spectacular.
Daisy Edgar-Jones does give him a run for his money at times, though. She is fantastic, especially once that third act hits. Her performance is subtle compared to Stan’s, but that doesn’t make it any less effective.
The only real issue with Fresh is that it goes on a little bit too long. The runtime is two hours and definitely could have been cut down here and there, however it doesn’t take away from the movie as a whole. Each act drastically changes the movie, with the third doing a fantastic job of tying everything together and leaving viewers with one of the best endings of a movie.
Fresh is grotesque and repulsive, yet strangely satisfying. It perfectly combines humor and horror, and delivers some fantastic bloody moments. Who ever thought a romantic comedy could bring some seriously killer vibes?
Fresh delivers on all fronts with a fantastic cast, captivating story, and truly unique style. Whether it makes you gag, or laugh, or both, it is sure to be a good time. If you don’t mind some gore and disturbing scenes, Fresh is more than worth a watch.
Read more Sundance Film Festival coverage.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
About Fresh
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.
During a subsequent date at a local bar, sassy banter gives way to a chemistry-laden hookup, and a smitten Noa dares to hope that she might have actually found a real connection with the dashing cosmetic surgeon. She accepts Steve’s invitation to an impromptu weekend getaway, only to find that her new paramour has been hiding some unusual appetites.
Fresh played at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival.
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She is also a Freelance Writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association and the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association.