Member-only story

Nightmare Alley: A New York Review of Classics

Gene Simmons

·8.9k Followers· Follow

Published in Nightmare Alley (New York Review Classics)

3 min read

35 View Claps

5 Respond

Save

Listen

Guillermo del Toro's Nightmare Alley is a sumptuous, stylish, and ultimately unsatisfying film noir. It's a well-crafted piece of work, but it lacks the emotional depth and resonance of del Toro's best films. Still, it's a visually stunning and atmospheric film that's sure to please fans of the genre.

Nightmare Alley (New York Review Classics)

Nightmare Alley (New York Review Books Classics)

by William Lindsay Gresham

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1640 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	306 pages

The Plot

Nightmare Alley tells the story of Stanton Carlisle (Bradley Cooper),a young man who dreams of becoming a successful carny. He joins a traveling carnival and quickly learns the ropes of the business. He becomes a skilled mentalist and is soon able to swindle people out of their money. However, his ambition eventually gets the better of him, and he becomes involved in a dangerous scheme that threatens to destroy everything he's worked for.

The Cast

Bradley Cooper gives a strong performance as Stanton Carlisle. He's charismatic and charming, but he also has a dark side that's always lurking beneath the surface. Cate Blanchett is also excellent as Dr. Lilith Ritter, a psychiatrist who becomes Carlisle's mentor and love interest. Toni Collette is equally good as Zeena, a fellow carny who becomes Carlisle's partner in crime.

The Visuals

Nightmare Alley is a visually stunning film. Del Toro has created a world that's both beautiful and sinister. The carnival scenes are particularly impressive, with their bright lights and garish colors. The film's cinematography is also top-notch, with some truly stunning shots.

The Themes

Nightmare Alley is a film about ambition, greed, and the dangers of unchecked power. Carlisle is a man who is driven by his desire for success, but he's willing to do anything to achieve it. He's a classic antihero, and his downfall is both tragic and inevitable.

The

Nightmare Alley is a well-crafted and visually stunning film, but it lacks the emotional depth and resonance of del Toro's best films. Still, it's a solid piece of work that's sure to please fans of the genre.