Everything's Coming Up Kiki
By Spencer Coile
For many of us Kirsten Dunst fans, her performance in the second season of Fargo was a peak in and of itself. She had turned in exquisite performances in the past like Melancholia, but a collaboration with Noah Hawley in the Fargo universe was a different step in Dunst's career. Her Peggy Blumquist picked up rave reviews, and awards nomination, and she ended the year as part of the winning SAG ensemble of Hidden Figures. Now it would appear that 2017 will continue on with more beguiling Dunst projects as if the comeback has only just begun...
With Film Experience readers and writers alike buzzing over Sofia Coppola's The Beguiled and Dunst's participation in it (having previously starred in Coppola's The Virgin Suicides and Marie Antoinette), it is almost unsurprising that another Dunst film is being overshadowed.
The release to the trailer for Woodshock (directed by Laura and Kate Mulleavy, former costume designers for Black Swan) proves that Dunst is interested in projects that are as intriguing as they are mysterious. Very little is known about the film, other than the brief synopsis that states that a woman (Dunst) begins feeling paranoid after taking a deadly drug. Still, the trailer is trippy and elegant, confusing and colorful.
As a major Dunst fan, I am itching to indulge in her 2017 performances. She always manages to capture the character in such a way that she invites us into their fragile states; The Beguiled and Woodshock appear to be no exception. 2016 was only the beginning of Dunst's return to glory.
Reader Comments (10)
Is this a Lucy remake?
The comeback really started with her knock out turn in All Good Things.I think a lot of casting directors maybe saw that and thought we are not utilizing this talent enough.She's been gr8 right from the off in 94.
Yayyy more Kiki. This looks like it'll be a juicy showcase.
I love her
She really is one my favorites! When I tell people she's one of my favorites they are often like 'really Kirsten Dunst?' But she's got: Interview with the Vampire, Dick, Drop Dead Gorgeous, Virgin Suicides, Bring it On, Crazy Beautiful, Marie Antoinette, All Good Things, Melancholia, Bachlorette, Fargo.. it's great!
I think her next two projects after this double-header are her directorial debut, The Bell Jar, and her very intriguing Lanthimos TV project.
I didn't think she was very good on Fargo.
She didn't nail the accent or the character.
My favorite performances of hers are in Crazy/Beautiful, Elizabethtown, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Wimbledon and Marie Antoinette.
Woodshock looks very interesting I must say.
I'm intriqued.
Interesting! Reminds me of Upstream Color.
I'm happy she's getting some attention as she's been killing it lately ever since Melancholia. I hope she gets more exposure and some awards attention as she is overdue for an Oscar nod.
I yesterday watched "Wimbledon" for first time... I skipped it so far because of bad reviews... however I liked the film and Dunst is sparkling in it, with a competent cast around, and some well shot sport sequences and an adequate - even if a bit cheesy - romantic comedy vibe.
Not so sure about reducing her MELANCHOLIA performance to a mere "exquisite" adjective and lesser than Fargo. But this new one looks exciting as well as, of course, The Beguiled.