The Dark Side of Stella Cox

In the wake of a profound personal tragedy, a young woman named Stella finds herself grappling with immense grief and a growing sense of unease. As she navigates the complexities of her fractured family and her own deteriorating mental state, spectral visions and disturbing occurrences begin to blur the lines between reality and hallucination. Stella must confront the dark secrets of her past and the disturbing forces that seem to be closing in on her.

The film received mixed to positive reviews, with many critics praising its atmospheric tension and the performances of its lead actors, particularly Taylor Russell. However, some found the narrative to be overly ambiguous and the horror elements less effective than the dramatic ones.

• Praised for its unsettling atmosphere and strong lead performance.

• Some found the plot to be too abstract and the horror elements underdeveloped.

• A visually striking, though sometimes opaque, exploration of grief and trauma.

Google audience: Audience reviews generally highlight the film's mood and the compelling acting, with many appreciating its artistic approach to difficult themes. Some viewers found it slow-paced or difficult to fully connect with the story's narrative arc.

Nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival (2017).

Director Trey Edward Shults conceived of the film's unsettling atmosphere and visual style by drawing inspiration from classical horror films and personal experiences with grief.