The Blazing World (film)

Lore & Background

The film follows Margaret, who as an adult struggles with suicidal ideation after the childhood drowning death of her twin sister Elizabeth. Returning to her family home, she transitions to an alternate dimension where Elizabeth may still be alive. The cast includes Udo Kier, Dermot Mulroney, Vinessa Shaw, Soko, John Karna, Carlson Young, and Edith González in one of her final film roles.

Reader's Guide

The Blazing World marks Carlson Young's feature directorial debut and the first installment of a planned trilogy. Reception was mixed: Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 59% rating from 49 critics, with a consensus noting the film's 'arresting visuals' but a 'scattershot script.' Metacritic scored it 33, indicating 'generally unfavorable' reviews. Critics praised its ambition and visual style but criticized its narrative coherence. The film's soundtrack, particularly songs by Isom Innis and Sean Cimino as Peel, was singled out for praise. The film's significance lies in its attempt to blend horror, fantasy, and psychological trauma within a visually bold framework, though it failed to achieve broad critical consensus.

Did You Know?

• Edith González appears in one of her final film roles; she had other posthumous releases.
• Carlson Young previously wrote, directed, and starred in a 2018 short film of the same name.