Under the Silver Lake | A Hipster Noir That’s Both a Gem and a Rubik’s Cube

4/5

"Under the Silver Lake (2018)" is like stumbling into a thrift store and finding an amazing vintage jacket, only to later discover it has a few mysterious stains. Directed by David Robert Mitchell, the film follows Andrew Garfield as Sam, this aimless conspiracy theorist who embarks on a surreal quest to discover what happened to his neighbor, who abruptly disappeared. It's part-satire, part-mystery, and entirely bonkers. Imagine a mix of Hitchcock, indie rock, and that one friend who's way too much into cryptic YouTube videos.

Pop Culture Overload

What's most striking is how the film leans into pop culture. It's stuffed with references, from old Hollywood to '90s grunge. If you ever wanted a movie where Kurt Cobain is basically treated like a prophet, here you go. Every scene is filled with so many little details you'll either feel clever for catching them or a bit overwhelmed. But at times, it's like the movie is so busy throwing in cool Easter eggs, it forgets to focus on the actual story. If you love analyzing every little thing, you'll have a blast. If not, it might feel like too much.

Andrew Garfield's Messy Charm

Garfield's Sam is, to say the least, a bit of a slob. He carries that rumpled charm—somebody who probably hasn't done laundry in a decade yet somehow manages to pull it off. His performance is what keeps the whole thing glued together, even when the plot starts to wander. But let's be honest: Sam isn't exactly a great guy. He's lazy, creepy, and utterly self-absorbed, which can make it a little exhausting to spend more than two hours with him. Still, there's something curiously relatable about his aimless, chaotic energy.

A Dreamy LA

Visually, the movie nails it. Director David Robert Mitchell and cinematographer Mike Gioulakis make Los Angeles look like a dreamy, decaying wonderland. It's the kind of city where every sunlit street seems to hide something sinister. The visuals are hypnotic, lit by neon, and Disasterpeace's retro score binds it all together with this haunting, old-school vibe. But here's the thing: it can drag. There are some scenes that feel like they're just there to soak in the atmosphere, and you might catch yourself checking the time.

Conspiracies Everywhere

If you like your movies packed with cryptic codes and secret societies, you're in for a treat. The plot gets deeper and weirder as it goes, diving into these absurd conspiracies that range from fascinating to downright ridiculous. By the time a mysterious songwriter starts explaining life through a piano, you’ll either be all-in or completely lost. It’s fun to try to piece everything together, but it’s also frustrating when it starts to feel like there’s no real answer behind all the madness.

McPoyle spotted!

Wrapping It Up

"Under the Silver Lake" is one of those movies that will stay in your head, whether you loved it or hated it. Weird, ambitious, and full of eye candy, it's also indulgent and all over the place. It's like trying to solve a puzzle you are not quite sure you want to solve. If you like quirky, over-the-edge stories and don't mind losing your way, then this might be the movie for you. If not, then scratch that head and wonder what you just viewed.