In Last Night in Soho, fresh new design school student Eloise (Thomasin McKenzie) rents an apartment in London. Soon she begins to dream about Sandie (Queen's Gambit's Anna Taylor-Joy) a woman from the 60's, Eloise's favorite time period. Though she is initially fascinated with Sandie's life, things soon get darker and dangerous. The movie's got two decent acts followed by a final one that knocks it out of the park.
LNiS is competently run throughout. It's directed by Edgar Wright and he knows how to bring in the style. The 60's London and paranormal stuff are shot so well, including an excellent use of lighting and colors and just the setup of the dream/ghostly stuff. There are a few scary/action scenes in this that are some of the best looking of the year. The basic messages of the plot, the importance of mental health and how women can be preyed upon by men, are both well handled. (In fact, the latter concept is a great example of how the second Black Christmas should have been handled. It's able to address the message of women's exploitation by men in a way that's done naturally while also telling a good story).
However, the first two acts may be kinda a drudge for many viewers' taste. I wouldn't say any scene is too slow or boring, but there is a lot of exposition and set up. I could predict where things are going way ahead of time, and then it became the burden of waiting to see things happen. It doesn't help that mean Eloise's fellow fashion student Jocasta (Synnove Karlsen) and her clique are too one dimensional and cliched and Eloise's love interest John (Michael Ajao) feels pretty underdeveloped.
My issues with the film disappear with the third act. I mean it completely wowed me. It's no longer predictable. Pacing, suspense, and the visuals run at 11/10. Admittedly there is one big plot hole at the end, but I didn't consider it a deal breaker.
Great casting in this. McKenzie does a very good job playing a character going through a gamut of emotions. We get a couple solid performances from some experienced actors. Terence Stamp plays a man connected to the dreams. From what I've seen at least in his American films, he often plays serious characters, so it's nice to see him play someone more lively: a clever sort whose presence automatically makes the watcher uncomfortable. The late Diana Rigg in what is her last film shines in a smaller role as Eloise's old-fashioned, no-nonsense neighbor.
Wonderful soundtrack, featuring multiple classic 60's hits.
Overall, I think this is worth watching. It definitely could've been improved but comes from a good place, and when it impresses it impresses. Really nails the classic supernatural thriller formula.
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