Fresh (2022)

About Fresh

Fresh is a 2022 American horror thriller film directed by Mimi Cave, under the banner of Searchlight Pictures. The story, penned down by Lauryn Kahn, revolves around Noa, who after getting tired of app dating, finally meets a suave, charming man named Steve. The normal relationship takes an eerie turn when Noa discovers that Steve's gourmet meals are sourced in a not-so-honorable way.

Making / Production

The movie was produced by Adam McKay and Kevin Messick, under their Hyperobject Industries banner. Mimi Cave in her directorial debut did a commendable job by adding a unique spin to the traditional horror-thriller genre, making the movie suspenseful and unsettling. The filming took place in various locations, the landscape of which added more depth and horror aesthetic to the story.

Actors

• Daisy Edgar-Jones as Noa - She plays a disillusioned datable seeking a meaningful relationship, she shines in her role with her astute performance which breathes life into an otherwise beleaguered character.
• Sebastian Stan as Steve – Charming and mysterious, Stan's character is the ultimate antagonist. His performance is both captivating and chilling, precisely embodying the charm that the character needed.
• Jojo T. Gibbs as Mollie - Plays Noa’s best friend who provides subtle comic relief and grounds the film to reality.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• This is the first feature film directed by Mimi Cave who is known as a music video director before.
• The movie was part of the "Midnight" section at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, where it was bought by Hulu for a substantial sum.
• Sebastian Stan was praised for his exceptional performance as the villainous character.
• The movie maintains a steady balance between modern dating dilemma and psychological horror, which makes it unique in its genre.

Music / Soundtrack

• Music in this film played a vital role in accentuating the horror elements, with the background scores playing into the intense and unnerving atmosphere of the film.
• The soundtrack creates an unsettling, suspenseful ambiance, building up the tension, which escalates the horror.

Quotes

• "A charming man with a taste for the finer things." - Steve
• "I don't think I can trust men anymore." - Noa
• "Just getting to know someone for the first time, there's always a question mark, isn't there?" - Steve