“With spectacular shows, overpriced snacks, and suspicious games of “skill”, the carnival can be an expensive affair. Throw in Bradley Cooper’s unscrupulous chancer and Cate Blanchett’s savvy psychiatrist, a duo hell-bent on swindling unsuspecting punters, then the cost could become so much more than just cold, hard cash.

A fresh take on William Lindsey Gresham’s novel rather than a remake of the 1947 film of the same name, Nightmare Alley feels more like a film noir thriller than the flat-out fantasy we’ve come to expect from Guillermo del Toro. As a result, the auteur’s atmospheric adaptation feels even more threatening, with femme fatales, corrupt con men, and the promise of a disorienting twist in the tale.”

Follow this link to read the rest of my preview of Nightmare Alley for Onscreen Magazine.