Itâs stingingly timely material. Thematically, Emerald Fennellâs feature debut,
Promising Young Woman, could have been distilled from pure pain, an amalgamation of the countless rape culture testimonies on sites such as Everyoneâs Invited. But tonally, with its extravagantly arched eyebrow and lacquered manicure of irony, this film feels oddly dated â a couple of decades out of step with current sensibilities. Were it not for Carey Mulliganâs Cassandra, an avenging angel in bubblegum-pink lip gloss, the picture may well have toppled off its stripper heels long before it got to stomp into its divisive shocker of a final act. Mulliganâs withering disdain is a thing of beauty. If anyone wins prizes for this liberally and generously nominated film â it has five Oscar nods, including best picture and best director, and scored six Bafta nominations, winning two â it should be her.