You probably remember Kristen Stewart as the girl from those vampire movies. Or maybe as the indie darling who spent years doing quiet, whispery dramas in Europe. But forget all that. In Love Lies Bleeding, directed by Rose Glass, Stewart doesn't just act; she practically vibrates with a kind of desperate, sweaty energy we haven't seen from her since... well, maybe ever.
It’s messy. It’s loud. It’s got a lot of steroids and even more blood. Honestly, it’s exactly the kind of movie that makes you realize why Stewart is one of the most interesting actors working today. She plays Lou, a reclusive gym manager who’s basically given up on life until she meets Jackie, a bodybuilder with a dream and a terrifyingly large bicep.
Love Lies Bleeding Kristen Stewart: A Match Made in A24 Heaven
The film is set in 1989. Think dusty New Mexico, neon lights that hum too loud, and hair that hasn't seen a comb in weeks. Love Lies Bleeding Kristen Stewart isn't your typical "girl meets girl" romance. It's a pulpy, ultra-violent neo-noir where the love story is fueled by ego and performance-enhancing drugs.
Stewart’s Lou is a smoker. She's trying to quit, but life keeps giving her reasons to light up. She spends her days unclogging toilets and her nights avoiding her criminal father, played by a truly creepy, long-haired Ed Harris. When Jackie (Katy O’Brian) rolls into town on her way to a competition in Vegas, the chemistry isn't just there—it’s explosive.
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Why the Critics Are Obsessed
The movie currently holds a massive 94% on Rotten Tomatoes. That’s higher than almost anything else in Stewart's filmography, including her Oscar-nominated turn in Spencer. Critics aren't just praising the acting, though. They’re losing it over Rose Glass’s direction. Glass, who did the haunting Saint Maud, knows how to make you feel uncomfortable in the best way possible.
One of the wildest things about the film is the "Hulk-out" moments. Seriously. As Jackie takes more steroids—provided by Lou, naturally—she starts to literally expand. The camera lingers on rippling muscles and popping veins. It’s a bit of magical realism that shouldn’t work in a gritty crime thriller, but somehow, it totally does.
Breaking Down the Plot (Without Giving Too Much Away)
Basically, Jackie gets a job at a shooting range run by Lou’s dad. Bad move. Things spiral when Lou’s sister, Beth (Jena Malone), gets hospitalized by her abusive husband, JJ (Dave Franco). Jackie, fueled by love and a whole lot of 'roids, decides to "fix" the problem.
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The violence is visceral. It’s not the cartoonish stuff you see in Marvel movies. It’s crunchy. It’s wet. It’s the kind of thing that makes a theater full of people gasp at the same time.
- The Vibe: Greasy, neon, and very, very 80s.
- The Chemistry: Stewart and O'Brian are electric. You actually believe they'd kill for each other.
- The Villain: Ed Harris as Lou Sr. is a nightmare in a polo shirt. He collects beetles. It's weird.
What Most People Get Wrong
A lot of people think this is just a "gay thriller." It’s so much more than that. It’s a movie about the American Dream and how it rots you from the inside out. It’s about ambition and how far you'll go to be "big." Jackie wants to be the best bodybuilder in the world, and Lou just wants to escape her family’s shadow. They use each other, they love each other, and they nearly destroy each other.
The ending? It’s divisive. Some people think it goes too far into the surreal. Others think it’s a stroke of genius. You sort of have to see it to decide which camp you’re in.
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Where to Watch and What to Do Next
The film grossed about $12.5 million worldwide, which isn't huge, but it's become a massive hit on streaming. If you missed it in theaters, you can find it on Max or buy it on VOD platforms like Amazon Prime.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you’ve already watched Love Lies Bleeding Kristen Stewart and need more of that specific energy, here is how to dive deeper:
- Watch Saint Maud: It’s Rose Glass’s first film. It’s shorter, creepier, and shows where she got her start with body horror.
- Check out Katy O'Brian’s other work: She was in The Mandalorian and Ant-Man, but this is her real breakout.
- Read up on New Queer Cinema: This movie is a direct descendant of 90s classics like Bound. If you liked the "lesbians with guns" vibe, Bound is your next stop.
The film is a reminder that Stewart is best when she's playing someone a little bit broken. She’s not trying to be a movie star here; she’s just being Lou. And Lou is a mess. But she's a mess you can't look away from.