Overview

• The film, directed by Daniel Minahan and adapted from Shannon Pufahl’s novel, explores hidden desires and queer identity in postwar America.
• Daisy Edgar-Jones receives acclaim for her nuanced portrayal of Muriel, while Jacob Elordi and Diego Calva’s performances garner mixed feedback.
• Critics highlight the film’s atmospheric period detail but note its reliance on clunky metaphors, such as atomic bomb tests and a horse, to convey themes of repression.
• The dual narrative structure interweaves Muriel’s suburban gambling and flirtation with Julius’s Las Vegas romance, though some reviewers find the focus uneven.
• Despite its thematic ambitions and standout moments, the film's pacing and execution have been described as inconsistent by reviewers.