Last Night in Soho might have a 60s soundtrack but it is a horrifying psychological thriller starring Thomasin McKenzie and Anya Taylor-Joy.

The film is classified in the synopsis as a psychological thriller. Let’s get it out of the way right now: Last Night in Soho is more than a psychological thriller. There are aspects of horror in this film. Put it this way: there’s enough horror in the film where I had to close my eyes! If you are prone to nightmares as I am, I would not recommend watching this film. Anyway, if horror isn’t your thing, I still recommend getting your hands on the soundtrack because the 1960s music is awesome.

The gist of the film sees Eloise Turner (Thomasin McKenzie) moving to study fashion design in London. Her roommate situation with Jocasta (Synnove Karlsen) isn’t the best in the world although Eloise does manage to befriend another student, John (Michael Ajao). Wanting some quiet at night, Eloise rents a room in a house owned by Ms. Collins (Diana Rigg). All things being what they are, Eloise is somehow transported into the 1960s. This is where she encounters an aspiring singer named Sandie (Anya Taylor-Joy). Sandie meets a manager, Jack (Matt Smith), who seems to be taking her career in the right direction. At first, it looks glamourous but then things start to get very dark and things are not what they seem.

Eloise starts to idolize Sandie. She copies her hair and fashion style. Even in school, Eloise starts designing dresses like the ones Sandie wears in her dreams. But are they dreams or is there something more going on here? That’s the question of the hour, isn’t it? Of course, you’ll just have to see for yourselves. Unless you don’t like movies triggering nightmares–in which case, I completely understand because I’m right there with you!

When Eloise is transported back to the 1960s, the filmmakers miss a meta moment opportunity. When she goes back in time, Thunderball is playing at the movie theater. It places the time period at some point in 1966 since that’s when the James Bond film opened up in the United Kingdom. Anyway, Diana Rigg starred as Countess Tracy di Vicenzo in 1969’s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Because of its December 1969 release I can understand why the filmmakers opt for earlier in the 1960s. However, it’s a missed opportunity. Similarly, Terence Stamp, who co-stars in the film, was once considered for the role of Bond when Sean Connery retired. But anyway, I digress…

Last Night in Soho may be a thriller fit for the 1960s but the vivid film has a contemporary lens.

DIRECTOR: Edgar Wright
SCREENWRITERS: Edgar Wright and Krysty Wilson-Cairns
CAST: Thomasin McKenzie, Anya Taylor-Joy, Matt Smith, Terence Stamp, Diana Rigg, Rita Tushingham, Michael Ajao, Synnove Karlsen

Focus Features will release Last Night in Soho in theaters on October 29, 2021.

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