WARNING! SPOILERS!
Upon the announcement of a new Kristen Stewart project in 2022, excitement has only grown for last month’s A24 release, “Love Lies Bleeding”. With the release of the official trailer four months ago, queer viewers have flocked to the film, anticipating a new sapphic romance to make TikTok edits of and obsess over.
I, being a member of this film’s target audience (cough cough), looked forward enthusiastically to the premiere of this film. Though Kristen Stewart sporting an 80s mullet was reason enough to tune in, “Love Lies Bleeding” particularly caught my eye for its apparent gruesomeness. Admittedly, the trailer left much to the imagination regarding the plot, but it teased the atmosphere of the film. And, this is what I gathered: blood, violence, crime, muscles and unapologetic queerness. “Love Lies Bleeding” immediately captivated me with its bold fusion of sapphic (lesbian) romance within a gritty, masculine narrative.
The film revolves around the main characters Lou (Kristen Stewart) and Jackie (Katy O’Brian) as their love blossoms around brutal events. Lou is a gym manager who falls in love with Jackie — a female bodybuilder in town to find work. Jackie becomes employed at Lou’s father’s shooting range, the two meet at Lou’s gym, do steroids together, and Jackie ends up staying at Lou’s apartment. The film makes a dark turn when Jackie, in a raging frenzy, kills Lou’s sister’s abusive husband. Lou helps cover for the murder in familiar ways, as she’s helped her father cover for the murders of past business partners. It is revealed that Lou’s family has a sinister criminal past. The film continues to follow Lou and Jackie’s romance as they voyage through their story of murder, blackmail, jail time, steroid-induced psychosis and much more.
Overall, I enjoyed “Love Lies Bleeding”. It truly is one of those stories that could be described as “deliciously gruesome.” From the soundtrack to the coloring to the cinematography to the special effects, the technical elements of this film uplift the brutalness of this thriller. The work keeps you on the edge of your seat, anticipating whatever act of violence follows the last.
I only wish the relationships between the characters were given more time to develop. I felt that Lou and Jackie came on too hard and too quickly — their relationship was hot and heavy with almost no time to develop. A slower, more deliberate exploration of their dynamic would have added layers to the story. Lou and Jackie’s intense attraction is undeniable, but it’s the quieter, tender moments that were missed.
Nevertheless, “Love Lies Bleeding” provokes consideration of the ever-evolving landscape of queer representation in media. Since 2023, there has been a noticeable rise in sapphic films. Most importantly, the sapphic media being created often revolves around themes of violence — for example, “Bottoms” (2024), “Drive Away Dolls” (2024) and “Bodies Bodies Bodies” (2023).
There is undoubtedly a new trend in gritty/violent sapphic media. This strays away from the previously popular conventional portrayals. Gone are the days of soft, palatable lesbian narratives! Personally, this new depiction of sapphism feels like a breath of fresh air. Why shouldn’t queer women also be able to see themselves in raunchy, action-packed thrillers?
I have a genuine appreciation for “Love Lies Bleeding” for being one of the first of (hopefully) many sapphic films that portray queer women as the badasses they are. Kudos to the cast and crew for this phenomenal execution, paving the way for more unapologetically queer projects in the future.
