Edgar Wright is most well known for his work in comedic films such as Shaun of the Dead (2004); Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (2010), & The World's End (2013). While there is a tremendous talent in finding the funny side of horror, Edgar Wright decided to go all-in on the scares with his latest film, Last Night in Soho (2021).
This English film follows a young fashion designer as she experiences visions of the past. Haunted by the memories of another's sins, Eloise must grapple with her mental health as she begins to piece together a mystery while no one believes her. This plot would provide many moments that would stick in viewers' minds. While this film is on its way to becoming a cult classic, let's look back at the best moments during the 116-minute runtime.
6 Jack Defends Sandy
Matt Smith & Anya Taylor-Joy were big names to be attached to this film, and they played their parts well. Matt Smith plays Jack, a true ladies' man, whose attention is immediately caught by Sandie (Taylor-Joy.) Their story from the 1960s has the beginnings of a true love story. Later in the film, we would begin to see things unravel in horrific ways, but the moment that genuinely cements Sandie & Jack's relationship is when Jack stands up for her.
After the two share a moment of mutual attraction, dancing along to The Graham Bond Organization's rendition of "Wade in the Water," Jack would step aside to fetch Sandie her drink. Another man would attempt to step in, and when Sandie refused his advances, Jack would intervene, trying to escort Sandie away while also taunting the man. The man would then insult Sandie, calling her derogatory names, which Jack would respond to with a punch. This scene is about romanticizing the era of the '60s, and it does so well with chivalry and violence.
5 Eloise is Praised for her Work
Eloise leaves for the Soho district of London in hopes of pursuing her passion for fashion. During the early stages of her trip, Eloise would be met with unwanted advances from multiple men and would constantly have her focus interrupted by invasive roommates and late-night partying, keeping her awake at night. These events would set Eloise on the path to renting a room out and starting her visions.
After experiencing her first vision, Eloise begins working hard to recreate the elegant dress worn by Sandie. In a critical moment for Eloise's development, her instructor notices her hard work and proceeds to praise her in front of the class. In a film with multiple scares and hauntingly violent imagery, one of the standout moments is one of the few scenes where Eloise can genuinely feel proud of her progress.
4 John Stands by Eloise
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Throughout the course of the film, Eloise is slowly being driven mad by her visions. Initially seeking solace in John, another fashion student, Eloise spends a late night at a Halloween party with John, hoping to avoid the visions that come to her in her sleep. After the party, Sandie invites John back home, asking him to keep her awake, despite Ms. Collins' rule that no men are allowed.
Unfortunately, the visions come to Eloise while she's awake, and she begins to experience what she believes to be Jack maliciously murdering Sandie after trying to force himself on her. Despite the traumatic episode, followed by Eloise almost stabbing a fellow student in the midst of a violent vision, John continues to stand by and support Eloise through what appears to be a mental breakdown. John's support would help lead to the most critical scenes of the film and make for a feel-good moment in itself.
3 Eloise Sees her Dream Come True
It can be easy to get overwhelmed by the mystery behind Eloise's visions, but throughout the course of the film, she still attempts to carry on and pursue fashion design. After all of the action that carries the third act of the film, we are treated to a truly happy ending in the epilogue. And it culminates at the big end-of-the-year fashion show the class had been preparing for.
Here, we see Eloise's designs on full display, with the audience loving every minute of the exhibition. With progressive views on fashion and the '60s inspiration, Eloise received high praise. This moment was made all the sweeter when she enjoyed this occasion with her grandmother and John. She even got to see her mother's and Sandie's spirits, smiling warmly at the young woman who finally saw her dream come true in an area where so much tragedy had occurred.
2 Alexandra's Secret Revealed
Throughout the film's second act, Eloise seeks justice for Sandie, a woman who had been abused and used as a sexual plaything, coerced by promises of a better life and the chance to achieve her dream of becoming a famous singer. After Eloise reports to the police about her visions, an officer visits Ms. Collins for a wellness check. When Eloise arrives at the apartment with plans of leaving her visions behind for good, Ms. Collins informs her of what the officer divulged and proceeds to confess.
Ms. Collins reveals that her identity of Alexandra Collins is but one of the many pseudonyms she had taken back in the '60s when she was being pimped out. In reality, she was Sandie. The very same woman that Eloise had seen in her visions. As Sandie would stall, allowing the drug she laced Eloise's drink with to take effect, she recounts how her murder spree began. Instead of Jack killing her, she murdered Jack in self-defense. After this, Sandie would invite men back to her room and murder every man who had taken advantage of her, hiding the bodies in the floors and walls of the building. This would lead to the visions Eloise was inflicted with as it appears her family had strong abilities associated with mediums.
1 Eloise Refuses to Kill Sandie
In one of the more epic moments of the film, Sandie attempts to murder Eloise to keep her secret safe. When the poison doesn't work, and Eloise stops Sandie from murdering John, the apartment is set alight with fire. Blinded by rage, Sandie continues her attempts to murder Eloise, all while Eloise witnesses the spirits of the dead attempting to grab her. When the spirits succeed, Eloise realizes they are not trying to harm her, but are calling out for help.
When Sandie enters the room, she is blindsided after experiencing the visions for herself. The spirits can call out to Sandie, with Jack's spirit proving capable of striking her. As the spirits call for Eloise to kill Sandie in revenge, Eloise refuses. Eloise tells Sandie that, having experienced what she had gone through, she could not blame her for taking her freedom back. She could not blame her for the awful things she had done. Sandie accepts Eloise's words but states that she will not be taken prisoner for her crimes, as she refuses to be a prisoner as she was for Jack. In an emotional scene, Eloise begs Sandie to leave the burning building, but Sandie tells Eloise to go and save John while Sandie burns with the bodies of her victims. This scene is all the more powerful when learning that this would be the last film Diana Riggs would perform in before her passing.