Nightmare Alley

Director: Guillermo del Toro Guillermo del Toro

Overview

Manipulative con artist Stan Carlisle (Bradley Cooper) relies on his smooth-talking ways to make it in the world until his unsated ambition compels him to seek more. With the aid of the enigmatic Dr. Lilith Ritter (Cate Blanchett), a psychiatrist, Stan amps up his scams to reap substantial rewards. However, as Lilith allows Stan to see her for who she truly is, Stan begins to suspect his new associate may be more powerful than he anticipated. Based on the novel by William Lindsay Gresham. Written and directed by Guillermo del Toro. Co-starring Toni Collette and Willem Dafoe.

Product Details

Release Date:	03/22/2022
UPC:	0786936891720
Original Release:	2021
Source:	20Th Century Fox
Language:	English

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Bradley Cooper	Stanton Carlisle
Cate Blanchett	Dr. Lilith Ritter
Toni Collette	Zeena the Seer
Willem Dafoe	Clem Hoatley
Richard Jenkins	Ezra Grindle
Rooney Mara	Molly Cahill
Ron Perlman	Bruno
David Strathairn	Pete
Mark Povinelli	The Major
Peter MacNeill	Judge Kimball
Holt McCallany	Anderson
Paul Anderson	Geek #1
Lara Jean Chorostecki	Louise Hoatley
Jim Beaver	Sheriff Jedediah Judd
Clifton Collins Jr.	Funhouse Jack
Tim Blake Nelson	Carny Boss
David Hewlett	Dr. Elrood
Sarah Mennell	Abigail
Caleb Ellsworth-Clark	Drunk #1
Mike Hill	Dogboy Jojo
Dian Bachar	Fee Fee the Birdgirl
Troy James	The Snake Man
Matthew MacCallum	Human Skeleton
Samantha Rodes	Zizi the Pinhead
Jesse Buck	Geek #2
Perry Mucci	Hotel Manager
Bill MacDonald	Stanton's Dad
Linden Porco	Brofo the Small
Dan Lett	Deputy #1
Catherine McGregor	Copa Woman
Martin Julien	Bus Station Shaving Man
Natalie Brown	Lilith's Receptionist
Daniel Falk	Patron #1
Tim Post	Armed Guard #1
William Conlon	Armed Guard #2
Stephen McHattie	Hobo #1
James Collins	Train Yard Man
Lili Connor	Woman in Floral Dress
Danny Waugh	Piano Player
Walter Rinaldi	Drunk
Andrew Locke	Train Worker
Calvin Desautels	Policeman
Derrick Moore	Stagehand
Grant Bradley	Deputy #2
Danielle Klupsch	Geek Pit Patron
Vikki Ring	Geek Pit Patron
Vanessa Botbyl	Geek Pit Patron
Michael Bridgeman	Geek Pit Patron
Charles Langille	Geek Pit Patron
Paul Taylor	Geek Pit Patron
Clyde Whitham	Geek Pit Patron
Nathan Johnson	Composer

Technical Credits

Guillermo del Toro

Kim Morgan

Guillermo del Toro	Director,Producer,Screenwriter
Bradley Cooper	Producer
J. Miles Dale	Producer
Kim Morgan	Screenwriter
Nathan Robitaille	Sound/Sound Designer
Robin Cook	Casting

Editorial Reviews

Guillermo del Toro is a huge fan of monsters. Certainly, he is a great living ambassador for the hideous in all its perils and charms, with everything from prehistoric titans of Pacific Rim to the slew of beasties seen in Hellboy. The director, branching into new genre territory with his noir Nightmare Alley, explores new horizons for the monstrous through a compelling look at how human nature can turn dark. Stanton Carlisle (Bradley Cooper) is a fugitive on the run. He arrives at a traveling carnival, where the lights and oddities immediately entrance him until he is hired by carnival owner Clem Hoately (Willem Dafoe). He eventually joins Zeena, an experienced clairvoyant (Toni Collette), and her alcoholic partner Pete (David Strathairn) at the carnival before becoming interested in their secrets and falling in love with Molly, another performer, and then leaving the show. The film is, first and foremost, a breathtaking modern noir. Tamara Deverell's production design is absolutely beautiful, transporting the viewers into the intriguing sleaze of traveling carnival life. And Dan Laustsen's photography is likewise gorgeous and frightening, complementing the story perfectly. It's easy to understand why Stan falls under its spell. Stanton Carlisle is a fascinating character, and Cooper does an excellent job in the lead role. His strategically brilliant preoccupation with his parlor tricks threatens to lead to his downfall, and the concluding part is powerful and wonderful. Cate Blanchett gives a brilliant, multifaceted, sultry, and compelling performance in her portrayal of psychologist Lilith Ritter. The rest of the cast shines throughout, and as a unit, they come together rather well. Perhaps the film's biggest flaw is its ending, which may be too clearly telegraphed. The distinction between foreshadowing and telegraphing is a fine one, and the film doesn't quite hit the sweet spot. However, the solid script drives the tale forward without losing audience interest. Until late in the film, it's also surprisingly devoid of emotional complexity, which is usually present in del Toro films. The film resembles its namesake somewhat too closely, but this is merely a minor issue in a spectacular movie. Overall, Nightmare Alley is a well-written and superbly performed masterpiece from a director at the top of his game. It's a haunting illustration of humanity's darker vices and how far someone may fall as a result of hubris. The film is a beautiful, immersive universe that is anchored by an excellent performance by Bradley Cooper, as well as one of the greatest femme Fatales in noir history. A Best Picture contender, this film is not one for viewers to miss.