Under the Silver Lake (2018)

Directed by David Robert Mitchell. Starring Andrew Garfield, Riki Lindhome, Callie Hernandez, India Menuez, Riley Keough, Grace Van Patten, Jimmi Simpson, Don McManus, Jeremy Bobb, Zosia Mamet, Topher Grace, Patrick Fischler, David Yow, Wendy Vanden Heuvel, Rex Linn. [R]

Writer/director Mitchell tackles missing-person mysteries, cult headspace, and conspiracy theories in this Los Angeles-set neo-noir, a thinly-veiled metaphor for the West Coast meat grinder that feeds on young wannabe starlets. For no convincing reason, rent-dodging layabout Sam (Garfield) decides to investigate the disappearance of a neighbor (Keough) he barely knows, following cryptic clues (many of them embedded into pop culture) down strange, sometimes surreal avenues. The plot particulars could have been inspired by literal interpretations of unpublished Bob Dylan lyrics for all they end up mattering, since the film is so doggedly out of time and out of place, and the screenplay is little more than a crowd of postmodern ciphers and plot devices. Summons clouded memories of Dashiell Hammett, David Lynch, Inherent Vice, and others, absent any manner of tension or personal interest, but at least Michael Gioulakis’ photography is ravishing. Has inspired a minor cult following devoted to spotting all the clues and unraveling the puzzles behind them. Released in a few European markets in 2018, but didn’t open in the States until the following year.

31/100