I haven’t been on the dating scene in a few years now, but when I was it was a hot mess. Getting stood up, getting ghosted, finding people who wanted different things, you name it, it probably happened. Supposedly the dating scene has somehow managed to get even more bleak and abysmal now, so something as deliciously terrifying as Fresh from Mimi Cave and script by Lauryn Kahn is more than welcoming. Also they somehow managed to make Sebastian Stan look like a regular person, something never imagined possible.
The movie focuses on Noa played by the incomparable Daisy Edgar-Jones and Steve played by Sebastian Stan. Noa is tired of the nonsense that comes with the modern dating scene, and has the most unconventional, weird, slightly adorable meet cute with Steve inside a grocery store about cotton candy grapes (sidebar, this movie really makes you crave cotton candy grapes). While they immediately hit things off and have incredible chemistry, Noa throws caution into the wind and decides to heavily pursue Steve, even if her friend Mollie played by Jojo T. Gibbs warns her that going this fast with a new man, while exciting, may not be the best idea. Deciding to ignore her friend, things take a turn for the unexpected on a weekend getaway and the true horror makes itself felt and brings what the audience craves to the front and centre.
It is safe to say that Sebastian Stan can most likely have chemistry with a brick wall, as his ability to just be undeniably charming and quirky works so well for Fresh. Between his undeniable charming character and Daisy Edgar-Jones lovable, hopeful, optimistic character there is so much to love right out of the gate for Fresh. When it slowly starts to develop what is truly happening and the sinister storytelling comes to the forefront, there is so much more to be discovered and uncovered. With the horrors fully coming out to shine, Fresh is not for the weak stomached, and should only be braved by those that enjoy a good scare.
Fresh is so inventive, playing on modern dating horrors, mixed in with something truly salacious that ties everything together. This is Mimi Cave’s first time directing a feature, and if she can keep delivering the quality of film such as Fresh then she will have a very prosperous career. Fresh is such a refreshing, horrifying take on modern dating and why maybe not jumping head into things is the better call even if its not the fun call.
