Nerdly » ‘Love Lies Bleeding’ Blu-ray Review

25th Jul2024

‘Love Lies Bleeding’ Blu-ray Review

by Jasmine Valentine

Stars: Kristen Stewart, Katy O’Brien, Jena Malone, Anna Baryshnikov, Ed Harris, Dave Franco | Written and Directed by Rose Glass

Lou (Kristen Stewart) lives a remotely modest life, working as a gym manager in a small town in New Mexico. She soon meets Jackie (Katy O’Brien), an ambitious bodybuilder with dreams of competing in Las Vegas. As the two grow closer, Lou’s family dynamics take over their lives, leading to disastrous consequences.

Let’s begin by stating the obvious — Rose Glass’ work in Love Lies Bleeding has changed the lesbian canon of cinema forever. Even in 2024, a shrewd, meaningful sapphic movie that doesn’t try to be sexual for the sake of pleasure is terribly hard to come by, with golden nuggets such as Carol and Disobedience passing muster. While these often-tragic love stories are all well and good, Glass has doubled down on her unique offerings by incorporating genre and nuanced scope, rightly stating that sexuality isn’t the be-all and end-all of existence.

Interestingly, Love Lies Bleeding is also riddled with lesbian stereotypes from beginning to end. Lou and Jackie’s blossoming connection is what drives the film forward, but it’s also incredibly distinct in its behaviour. They move in together after one day, are invested in a long-term future in a short space of time, and a willing to push beyond their personal limits in order to keep the unit together. These are all things any hardened lesbian would typically categorize as negative portrayals — so why do these decisions work so well? There’s an avant-garde air to Love Lies Bleeding, with its psychological undertones meaning that very little should be taken at face value. The ability to laugh at oneself is not a trait to be overlooked, with Lou and Jackie reclaiming their stereotypical facets to transform into something much more powerful.

From Saint Maud alone, it’s clear that Rose Glass knows how to expertly craft a film. Love Lies Bleeding feels exactly the right length, with very little to subjectively want to edit or cut. More than that, she transforms female vulnerability and sexuality into a visible superpower, swinging and scoring with visual big hits that mean her message and opinion are abundantly clear at all times. Stewart and O’Brien’s chemistry is off the charts, each bringing a no-holds-barred attitude to making the chaotic dichotomy between Lou and Jackie work. Considering how much is arguably given away in the trailer, the film holds its tension and shock factor impeccably well — and certainly isn’t for the squeamish.

Love Lies Bleeding rightfully takes its place in the cinematic sapphic hall of fame next to Bound and But I’m A Cheerleader, defining a corner of film that audiences have yet to explore. Nigh-on perfect, Glass is captaining a project that truly sings as an ensemble, with all creative elements coming together to form a pinnacle rather than a peak, suggesting the movie is a launchpad for a fully lesbian future.