This is a dark, though impressive film - seemingly two films in one; the first half being a celebration of the community of tricksters and misfits that form the travelling circus, and the second, once Stan and Mollie have run away to start a new life together, an increasingly dark tale of greed and psychological games. Bradley Cooper's Stan is much nastier and more cynical in this second half. Both storylines are played quite successfully, though the themes have been used in other films. One has to assume that Cate Blanchett's character had been mutilated at the hands of Ezra Grindley -it's not made clear- which is why she sets up Stan to wreak revenge (though it's only by chance that the scenario plays out the way it does).
Review of Nightmare Alley
