Last Night in Soho - A Movie Review

Don’t let the past stop you from living in the now. Keep on building memories.

Last Night in Soho was released to theaters in 2021. Upon being accepted to fashion design college in London, Ellie has a difficult time fitting in. Somehow, she can travel back in time to the 1960s. Encountering Sandie, a wannabe singer, Ellie soon finds herself cracking open a dark mystery.

The little you know about a film, the more you will be surprised. Last Night in Soho consolidates a dazzling atmosphere into this mysterious story. Nobody ever knows where their paths will lead them. What’s important is that you should be happy with who you are.

Thomasin McKenzie was remarkable in her performance. She conveyed outstanding emotions. McKenzie is starting to come into her own as an actress ever since I saw her in Jojo Rabbit.

Ellie is someone who we can all relate to. Never be afraid to be different. Ellie’s perseverance and incredible determination are extraordinary to watch as she gains more confidence.

Proving that she is a versatile actress, Anya Taylor-Joy does an astounding job. Not only as an actress but she shows off her talented singing voice. As the mysterious young woman from the 1960s, Sandie is confident, ambitious, and talented - but that’s not her life.

McKenzie and Taylor-Joy worked great in their scenes having to mimic movements in unison. Both did a great job with the execution of their characters.

Credits include Matt Smith, the late Diana Rigg, Aimee Cassettari, Rita Tushingham, Terrance Stamp, Michael Ajao, Synnove Karlson, and Elizabeth Berrington. Everyone did a great job, especially the late Rigg.

The ensemble for Last Night in Soho includes several talents. No small part is ever too small. However, that being said, I felt like most of the characters deserved bigger parts instead of just being there to fit the needs of the role.

Aside from playing as the bully who constantly teases Ellie, Jocasta (Karlson) could have had more to do with the story. Their rift is resolved out of nowhere by the end. And I wish that Ellie’s grandmother could have been involved more.

Edgar Wright incorporates incredible visuals, crafty edits, and a signature soundtrack. The soundtrack is lovely. The format in which Wright directed scenes that took place in the 60s was striking. The visuals even messed with your mind. He captured the otherworldly magic while also displaying hidden nightmares of the world.

That’s one of my favorite components that Wright includes in the film. Starting college is one of the most stressful times in anybody’s life. It’s scary heading into the world on your own for the first time. As we learn, it’s important to be yourself. What other people think of you should not matter. Make college or your adult life what you want it to be.

Subtly is at its best in Last Night in Soho. It’s a different kind of ghost story. Keeping certain parts of the film hidden, it’s never outright stated how Ellie sees ghosts and has visions of the past. it’s better to let the audience guess.

Last Night in Soho is not suitable for all audiences. I will be honest and say that this film made me uncomfortable at times. I was not anticipating the darker themes in Last Night in Soho. The tone shifts from a fun coming-of-age storyline to dealing with sexual topics and stalkers. The disfigured shadows that follow Ellie are unsettling.

I was impressed by Last Night in Soho. I recommend that you go see it in theaters. It’s an enjoyable experience from start to finish.