Review: Last Night in Soho

Anya Taylor-Joy as Sandie

Last Night in Soho was not at all what I expected, and this was not a bad thing. Soho is thrilling, visually engaging, and strongly acted (Thomasin McKenzie and Anya Taylor-Joy).

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Writer-director Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and Baby Driver) flashes ambition and style scene after scene. Plus, the movie had a killer soundtrack. I did have issues with the film's third act, where the writing got topsy-turvy and, at times, started to fall apart. There were too many directions that the movie wanted to go, along with too many twists. Overall, Soho is still a bloody good time. When it dazzles, it dazzles. When it drags, it drags. McKenzie and Anya Taylor-Joy's stellar performances kept me engaged scene after scene. Along with the picture's outstanding 60's soundtrack and production-costume design, Soho is another worthy entry to Wright's filmography. Soho marks Wright's seventh film and his second feature released this year, in addition to his 2021 documentary on the Sparks brothers, titled The Sparks Brothers. Our movie follows Eloise (McKenzie), an aspiring fashion designer; who occasionally sees her mother's ghost in mirrors. Eloise (Ellie for short) has something like the "shine." She has also just moved to London to study fashion. After becoming unhappy in the residence's hall because of her terrible roommate, Ellie decides to move out. She moves into a bedsit owned by an elderly woman (the late Diana Rigg).

Thomasin McKenzie as Ellie

Here, Ellie is mysteriously able to enter the 1960's when she falls asleep in her bed. Cue the glittery streets and neon glowing signs of a 1960's London that's a feast before your eyes. Ellie encounters a dazzling wannabe singer named Sandie (Taylor-Joy) and a sly man named Jack (Matt Smith). The special effects during these dancing sequences as our focus shifts back and forth between Ellie and Sandie will wow you. It's pretty impressive, to say the least. Yet, this 60's glamour is more than a dream of the past. Soon, Ellie's reality begins to crack beneath her feet, unveiling something much darker. I'll stop there at the plot — otherwise — I will give too much away. Soho starts out as a drama, then switches gears to a psychological thriller, and then proceeds to jump into full-on horror. Wright's picture juggles a lot of genres, which does boggle down the movie's momentum at times. That's not to say that Soho is a bad movie by any means, it's not. My biggest criticism comes with parts of the movie's writing. But Wright's latest picture is a good and entertaining flick. One that I had a lot of fun watching from beginning to end. Soho's production and costume designs are to die for, on top of that, we get some hefty acting chops showcased by both McKenzie and Taylor-Joy. So, sit back and let the sweet sounds of the 60's take ahold of you, sending your mind into a trance-like state.

Ellie entering 1960's London.

Last Night in Soho is rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned) Brief Drug Material | Bloody Violence | Brief Graphic Nudity | Language | Sexual Content.

Sadly, Soho is not playing in many theaters right now because it did not do well at the Box Office. However, it is now available to rent on VOD!

Want to hear more of my thoughts about Soho? I spoke with my good friends, Matt and Ashley, on their podcast, Mashely at the Movies | Listen Here.

Directed by Edgar Wright

Starring Thomasin McKenzie, Anya Taylor-Joy, Matt Smith, Michael Ajao, Terence Stamp, and the late Diana Rigg.