by Alice-Ginevra Micheli, Contributing Writer
We all have that feeling. You know the one: you finish watching a movie and something about it hits you in just the right spot. Whether it was the theme, the story, or even the characters, there was a quality about it that almost makes you want to turn around and go back a second, third, or even fourth time!
Bar the reality of living in the movie theater for the rest of your days, you turn to the rest of pop culture and start to look for other avenues where you can find that same feeling.
Well I’m here to make this plight easier for all. Each month, I take a piece of pop culture that was prevalent in the social consciousness — whether it is a movie, TV show, or something else — and then recommend other forms of media for those who want to stay in that world a little bit longer.
Welcome to your One Stop Pop, internet!
It’s safe to say that Don’t Worry Darling blew up the social media waves across September with all of the intrigue, gossip, and drama that was happening behind the scenes. It was all-consuming for a week or two there, and that was before it had even premiered at the Venice Film Festival! Then the film came out, and the reactions were as polarized as the ice-caps (bit of a geography joke for you there, hehe). But no matter what, it’s safe to say that everyone was talking about this movie.
Now that it’s out and we’ve had time to see it, digest it, and possibly like it, I’m here to suggest some other forms of media for whatever it was in and around the movie that tickled your fancy!
Book: Killer Instinct by Jane Hamsher
Natural Born Killers is another movie that is still extremely polarizing to this day. Released in 1994, the film follows a young couple who, united by their common love for violence, go on a killing spree. Hamsher’s book, on the other hand, looks at all of the BTS drama that plagued this production including, but not limited to, how screenwriter Quentin Tarantino was livid at how director Oliver Stone had eviscerated his original vision, and how he subsequently took it out on the producers, one of them being Hamsher herself.
This is gossip in its purest, most intense form, as it comes from an extremely biased party who felt the vitriol, trauma, and difficulty of trying to get a film off the ground when you have auteurs battling it out left, right, and center.
Also delving into the other sides of stars like Woody Harrelson, Robert Downey, Jr., and Juliette Lewis, Killer Instinct rivals the most intense scenes from the movie upon which it’s based. Considered to be a wild joyride like no other, Hamsher’s tale provides a fresh, insider’s perspective on stardom and the real balance of power in Hollywood that will rival and incite obsession in those who have been all over Don’t Worry Darling’s tragic press tour this year.
Interested? Go to your favourite bookseller or library to read it today!
TV Show: Roar
However, maybe the part of Don’t Worry Darling that really hit you was the Promising Young Woman of it all. You know, the metaphor behind the story, the socio-political commentary told through a high-concept science fiction lens. The depth that allows one to look past the crystal whiskey glasses, and perfectly cooked fish.
In short: maybe you liked that you got something different, and in turn want more, specifically when referring to feminist issues. Well then, let me draw your attention to the Apple TV+ miniseries, Roar. Set across eight episodes, this anthology weaves together eight darkly comedic feminist fables that take unexpected approaches to subjects like gender roles, autonomy and identity.
Starring names like Nicole Kidman, Alison Brie, and Issa Rae, each episode is a 25-to-30-minute exploration of the female psyche as set in a hyper-realistic modern age. Not all of them will hit you where you’re hoping, but you’re bound to find one story that you’re likely to connect to, and that will have you thinking and contemplating long after the credits roll.
It’s short, it’s intricate, and the anthology element allows you to not feel too committed if you’re not feeling like diving into a whole other TV thing.
So what are you waiting for? Find it on Apple TV+ for your viewing pleasure now!
TikTok Creator Binge: Jasmine Chiswell
Time for a different one! Instead of the typical podcast or music recommendation that might live here, I thought I’d send you all on a TikTok binge instead. Alas, I too have fallen for the short-form video platform, and I believe that there’s one creator in particular who might hit that spot for those who really loved the ’50s aesthetic of Olivia Wilde’s sophomore film.
Looking uncannily like a once upon a time Golden Age starlet, Chiswell can be described thusly: she lives in Marilyn’s old house, wears 1950s clothing, and has 3.4 million TikTok followers. Most importantly, however, she is a ray of Scottish sunshine (the irony of that statement is not lost on me — don’t worry… darling), and is sure to bring a smile to your dial.
Her content shifts from vintage-clothing try-ons, antique makeup tests, and current TikTok trends performed with a ‘50s twist. Like I said, if the aesthetic and general ambiance of the period-set portion of the film is what got your ‘scotch on the rocks’ off, then this is a creator you’ll want to follow now, and into the future. She also has a YouTube channel, where she posts all of her TikToks, as well as the odd platform specific video here and there, should you want to see more.
To get on board, open your TikTok app, and search for Jasmine Chiswell to start your binge!
Video Game: Superliminal
Okay, so there’s a reason that I left this until the end. For the love of everything, if you haven’t seen Don’t Worry Darling, do not read this bit. Even the inference of why this game is recommended for fans is enough to spoil a pretty major plot reveal in the film. So again, this is your warning, as big of a SPOILER WARNING I can give.
Everyone good? Those who are reading now limited to those who have sat through all two-plus hours of the film? Good.
It’s time to escape the simulation! Similar to how we uncover with Alice that she is, in fact, not living a ‘50s dream life, but is instead being force-fed a simulation of a perfect world — according to unemployed insecure partners — this game is played in a first person perspective, and incorporates gameplay elements around optical illusions and forced perspective.
It’s a game about unlocking the unknown in order to escape into reality. Unlike Alice, you will be able to walk away when you need a break because it’s illegal for games to take players hostage (for now…). However, you’ll likely find yourself obsessing over all the ‘not like they seem’ elements that you must constantly face.
That’s all I’m going to tell you, because like the movie, this is one that is best going into with as clear a mind as possible.
Interested? Check it out across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and on the Switch.
Well there you have it: four extremely different recommendations based on four specific elements of Don’t Worry Darling.Is it the aesthetic, the metaphor, the *SPOILER ALERT*, or the drama that has you want for more? Hopefully this list with sate that thirst.
I’ll return in November to look at all that October brought us, but until then, thank you for visiting SiftPop’s One Stop Pop, and we hope to see you again soon!
You can follow Alice-Ginevra Micheli on Instagram and Letterboxd