Promising Young Woman: Emerald Fennell's Dark Comedy on Rape and Revenge

Emerald Fennell's directorial debut, Promising Young Woman, is a dark comedy about a young woman named Cassie (Carey Mulligan) who seeks revenge after her best friend Nina is raped and later dies. Cassie, once a medical student, now works in a café and spends her nights pretending to be drunk to trap men who try to take advantage of her. The film targets not only the rapist but also those who witnessed the assault and remained silent. Fennell's script avoids making Cassie a saint, instead presenting a complex character driven by grief and a quest for justice. The film has received critical acclaim, winning BAFTA 2021 awards and earning Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Editing. The soundtrack features reworked pop songs. The article was published on Artribune by Margherita Bordino.