“Promising Young Woman” and “Nomadland” Boldly Confront Toxic American Beliefs

Clockwise from top left: Emerald Fennell, Frances McDormand, Carey Mulligan, and Chloe Zhao (“Nomadland” image copyright: Searchlight Pictures, “Promising Young Woman” image copyright: Focus Features)

Emerald Fennell’s Promising Young Woman and Chloe Zhao’s Nomadland are remarkably different films in terms of genre, tone, aesthetic, and subject matter. But they do have a few things in common. For example, they are both masterpieces that challenge long-held and destructive beliefs that are deeply ingrained in the American psyche.

[Author’s Warning: The following article reveals key plot points and themes of two movies currently in wide release. Although the endings are not revealed, readers are strongly advised that if they intend to see either of these filme they should no read this article until after doing so.]

It is difficult to imagine two movies in recent memory that were more diametrically opposed than Promising Young Woman and Nomadland. The former is an electrifying revenge tale that defies expectations at every turn whereas the latter is an atmospheric, naturalistic meditation on a forgotten sector of the American populace. But despite their vast differences in genre, tone, aesthetic, and subject matter, they actually do have a few things in common.

1. Both are directed by brilliant female auteurs. Promising Young Woman is the feature film debut of Emerald Fennell, a Brit best known for her superb performance as Camilla Parker-Bowles on Netflix’s The…