Based on the title alone, you might think that director John Cameron Mitchell’s “How to Talk to Girls at Parties” sounds like your typical buddy comedy or romcom. And in the new trailer for the film, it almost starts that way. But after about 30-seconds, viewers will realize this is definitely not your typical romcom. This is a very strange film but in the best possible way.
In the trailer, we meet a group of young punks. After a night of partying, they decide to meet up at a huge house in hopes of hooking up with women. What they stumble upon is what initially looks like a cult, but they soon find out is definitely something otherworldly. From there, it’s clear the film is going to be a punk-meets-alien love story, as if that is something that has existed before.
The film is co-written and directed by John Cameron Mitchell, who is best known for “Hedwig and the Angry Inch.” “How to Talk to Girls at Parties” is based on a short story by famous author Neil Gaiman, so knowing that, viewers can definitely expect some of the odd, surreal elements that he is famous for. Elle Fanning, Alex Sharp, and Nicole Kidman star in the film.
“How to Talk to Girls at Parties” had its debut at last year’s Cannes Film Festival, but received mixed reviews. However, we loved the film. In our review, from last year, we said, “This outer space oddity is destined for the cult-classic section of some future camp horror and sci-fi B-movie aisle.”
“How to Talk to Girls at Parties” is scheduled for release this Summer by A24.
Here’s the official synopsis:
From the raucous dual imaginations of fantasy laureate Neil Gaiman (“American Gods,” Coraline) and glam-rock multi-hyphenate John Cameron Mitchell (Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Shortbus) comes the electrifying and singular pop extravaganza film, How to Talk to Girls at Parties. Enn (Alex Sharp) is a shy suburban London teenager in 1977, sneaking out with his best friends to after-hours punk parties. One night they stumble upon a bizarre gathering of sexy teenagers who seem like they are from another planet. In fact, they are from another planet, visiting Earth to complete a mysterious rite of passage. That doesn’t stop Enn from falling madly in love with Zan (Elle Fanning), a beautiful and rebellious alien teenager who, despite her allegiance to her strange colony, is fascinated by Enn. Together they embark on a delirious adventure through the kinetic punk rock world of 1970s London, inadvertently setting off a series of events that will lead to the ultimate showdown of punks vs. aliens, and test the limits of how far each of them will go for true love.
