Alright folks, let’s dig into The Black Dahlia. Directed by Brian De Palma, this noir thriller based on James Ellroy’s novel about the infamous 1947 murder in Los Angeles is a mixed bag of thrills and frills. It’s like a smörgåsbord—some parts are delectable, others you might leave on the plate.

So, what’s the deal with this flick? Visually, it’s stunning. It’s got that whole 1940s vibe down to a T. The shadows, the jazz, the trench coats—it’s all very Casablanca meets L.A. Confidential. Scarlett Johansson and Josh Hartnett do their best to sell that old Hollywood glamour. But here’s the thing: you ever been to a party that looked fantastic but kinda left you cold? Yeah, that’s The Black Dahlia.

Now, De Palma is a skilled Director, no doubt. Carrie, Scarface, even Mission: Impossible. But here it feels like maybe he bit off a bit more than he could chew. The plot is twistier than a Swedish kringla, and not always in a good way. Like, I had to pause just to keep track—Wait, who’s that guy again? And why is she doing that?

One vivid memory came flooding back when watching: I remember my old Uncle Sven telling us kids grisly crime stories while we sat huddled around the fireplace at our summer stuga near Småland. He had this knack for building suspense, but also for wandering off into tangents about his youth. Something about The Black Dahlia reminded me of that—like the story was compelling but kept getting lost in its own narrative detours.

And let’s not forget the gore. De Palma doesn’t shy away from the explicit. There are moments that, honestly, made me cringe. Remember that time watching Fanny och Alexander with your mormor and suddenly wishing you’d picked a different film? Yeah, a bit like that.

The Black Dahlia has its high points—the cinematography is top-notch, and the cast gives it their all. But in the end, it feels like a great-looking but uneven experience. Maybe it’s more for the die-hard noir fans or those who can’t resist a true crime puzzle. But don’t expect an instant classic.

Oh, and if you want to see what all the fuss is about, check out the trailer here: The Black Dahlia