“Sebastian Stan is disarmingly charming and devilishly creepy as the boyfriend Steve who seems too perfect to be true. ‘Fresh’ absolutely delights in its sinister cruelty, with Steve joyfully singing and dancing … while partaking in some particularly ghoulish acts. This veneer of pure charisma atop a gruesome character makes Steve all more evil – just evil with a perfect smile.” Escape Into Film
” …Fresh evokes an energy that sweeps its unsuspecting audiences off their feet. The result is a surprising yet dazzling thriller that offers shock and entertainment. Overall, Fresh is an impressive debut for Cave. Accompanied by Kahn’s deliciously twisted screenplay and entertaining performances from Edgar-Jones and Stan, audiences will lap it up.” Flick Feast
“If the frenzied last act makes a few missteps (some decisions are a little questionable, Gibbs disappears for a little too long and one of the final quips is awkwardly on-the-nose), it’s all so thrillingly edge-of-seat that such quibbles are forgiven. For those who like their dating movies with a bit of gristle, Fresh is a perfect match.” The Guardian
” …much of the film’s philosophical dissection of modern society gets lost due to the overwhelming amount of grotesque obscenities that happen to every character in this film. Nonetheless, it is a film that is arresting both in subject manner as well as tone and will keep you trapped in the vice-like grip of its jaws long after the credits have finished rolling.” HeyUGuys
“Kahn does the impossible here – injecting chuckle-worthy laughs in the most intense situations without making it feel out of place. That doesn’t mean it truly stands out though. The plotting is fairly predictable from the get-go. We are always aware of the turns the film is going to take, but the fact that it constantly reels you in, every time you start losing interest is why it excels.” High on Films
“It’s as a narrative that Fresh falls a bit short. Fresh‘s central allegory is a clever one, and the horror story that spins out from it never less than gripping. But the film settles for reiterating its core ideas in more and more dramatic terms, rather than deepening or expanding them. Then, just when Fresh threatens to run out of steam, the final 20 minutes devolve into utter chaos.” The Hollywood Reporter
“Cave delivers a thrilling chiller, working from a smart, taut screenplay by Lauryn Kahn filled with razor-sharp dialogue and unexpected turns, and paces the proceedings expertly. Much of the tension happens during quieter moments while circumstances build-up, but plenty of gruesome shocks are on tap, as well. Cave is greatly aided by a crackerjack cast.” Horror Fuel
“Fresh is a masterclass in acting from both Sebastian Stan and Daisy Edgar-Jones, featuring a great introduction that also showcases the film’s many technical achievements, from score and cinematography to set design […] Yet, the film soon loses track of its intriguing premise and opts for a story that becomes just as safe as it is full of tired tropes, undeveloped twists, and stereotypical characters…” Loud and Clear
“Sure, Fresh might go a little off the rails during the bonkers final act, but Cave, who shows great poise as a rising filmmaker, doesn’t let things get that awry before reeling us back in. The underlying message of how women are only seen as literal pieces of meat could be seen as tongue-in-cheek, but Fresh is a total breath of fresh air…” The Only Critic
“Kahn’s screenplay incorporates comedy throughout Fresh, although it doesn’t take away from the gravitas of the stakes at play. Edgar-Jones and Stan are both up to the challenge, landing every joke with ease. Fresh is occasionally rather funny, as its natural sense of humor quickly transforms into much more twisted jokes that land even better.” Showbiz Cheat Sheet
“For those looking for a thrilling, but uneven depiction of modern dating, Fresh is one of the better genre versions in recent memory. It’s that ceaseless search for happiness in a single person that lays at the base of Kahn’s screenplay […] It’s a tough balancing act that depends heavily on Stan and Edgar-Jones’s chemistry and performances, which they both deliver in spades.” Tilt
“Like the best first dates and the best midnight movies, it all comes down to personality. Mimi Cave knows how to captivate and how to repulse, usually at the same time. She knows how to make us laugh and hate ourselves for laughing. Fresh is a breakneck emotional roller coaster, and like many roller coasters, it’ll also make your stomach churn.” The Wrap
Release:
Having had its world premiere at the 2022 Sundance Festival, Fresh will stream on Hulu from March 4th 2022. The film will have its Latin American premiere on Star+ and a Disney+ unveiling in all other territories via Star to later in the Spring.
Cast and characters:
Daisy Edgar-Jones … Noa
Sebastian Stan … Steve
Jojo T. Gibbs … Mollie
Andrea Bang … Penny
Dayo Okeniyi … Paul
Charlotte Le Bon … Ann
Brett Dier … Chad
Alina Maris … Melissa
William Belleau … Man
Lachlan Quarmby … Instructor
Sunghee Lapell … Waitress
Arghavan Jenati … Cashier
Anthony F. Ingram … Grocery Man
Frances Leigh … Mannequin Woman
Lance Birley … Shirtless Guy
Joe Costa … Hunter
Larry Hoe … Business Man
Scott McGrath … Politician
Robert Corness … Older Man
Filming locations:
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Filming dates:
25th January 2021 to 5th March 2021
Technical details:
1 hour 54 minutes
Audio: Dolby Digital
Production companies:
Fox Searchlight Pictures
Hyperobject Industries
Legendary Entertainment
Searchlight Pictures
Budget:
$15–20 million (estimated)
Trailer:
“Going away with Steve” clip:
