Angourie Rice and Mallori Johnson Star in "Steal Away", a Haunting Allegory of Power and Identity

"Steal Away" Review: Angourie Rice and Mallori Johnson Lead a Thin Mystical Allegory In the latest release from director Clement Virgo, "Steal Away" attempts to reimagine the relationship between an escaped slave and her mistress as a twisty psychological allegory. The film, adapted from Tamara Faith Berger's nonfiction novel of the same name, features standout performances from Angourie Rice and Mallori Johnson. According to Murtada Elfadl, critic for The New York Times, "Virgo builds a visually credible fantasy land, but lacks thematic followthrough." This sentiment is echoed by many critics, who praise the film's atmospheric setting but find its themes and messages unclear. "Steal Away" begins with intertitles that announce it as a tale of two princesses. The implied fairy tale trappings are fitting for this metaphor-heavy film, which explores the complex relationship between an escaped slave and her mistress. Director Clement Virgo adapts Berger's novel, reimagining the premise as a twisty psychological allegory. The book, "Steal Away Home" by Karolyn Smardz Frost, delves into the true story of an escaped slave who met her mistress when they were both young girls. The film takes this premise and adds its own mystical elements, resulting in a narrative that is both visually stunning and thematically confusing. Angourie Rice and Mallori Johnson deliver strong performances as the two princesses at the center of the film. Their chemistry on screen is undeniable, but their characters' motivations and desires are often unclear. The film's use of fantasy elements has been praised by some critics, who see it as a bold move to tackle complex themes in an unconventional way. However, others have criticized the film for its lack of thematic coherence. "Steal Away" premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this year and has since received mixed reviews from critics. While it may not be a critical success, the film's unique approach to storytelling is sure to spark conversation about the use of fantasy in historical dramas. As the film industry continues to grapple with issues of representation and diversity, "Steal Away" offers a timely reminder of the importance of nuanced storytelling. By exploring complex themes through unconventional means, Virgo challenges audiences to think critically about the stories they tell. Background The novel "Steal Away Home" by Karolyn Smardz Frost was first published in 2017 and has since become a bestseller. The book tells the true story of an escaped slave who met her mistress when they were both young girls, and explores their complex relationship over time. Additional Perspectives Clement Virgo's use of fantasy elements in "Steal Away" has been praised by some critics as a bold move to tackle complex themes in an unconventional way. However, others have criticized the film for its lack of thematic coherence. "I think the film is trying to say something about the power dynamics between women, but it's not entirely clear what that message is," said Murtada Elfadl, critic for The New York Times. "Virgo builds a visually credible fantasy land, but lacks thematic followthrough." Current Status and Next Developments "Steal Away" has been released in select theaters and is available to stream on various platforms. While it may not be a critical success, the film's unique approach to storytelling is sure to spark conversation about the use of fantasy in historical dramas. As the film industry continues to evolve, "Steal Away" offers a timely reminder of the importance of nuanced storytelling. By exploring complex themes through unconventional means, Virgo challenges audiences to think critically about the stories they tell. *Reporting by Variety.*