Olivia Wilde’s ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ Gets Spirited 5-Minute Ovation At Venice Film Festival

Olivia Wilde’s Don’t Worry Darling had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival this evening. Flanked by stars Harry Styles, Chris Pine, Gemma Chan, and Florence Pugh — who flew in late from the Budapest set of Dune 2 — Wilde saw her film get an energetic five-minute-in addition to applause.

Pugh got her own hearty welcome as she stepped onto the red carpet in her sparkling gown.

‘Try not to Worry Darling’ Venice Film Festival Photo Gallery: Olivia Wilde, Harry Styles, Gemma Chan, Chris Pine

In his review, Deadline’s Pete Hammond called Wilde’s film a “candy-coated psychological thriller” about “the terror imposed by men controlling women’s bodies.”

In his review, Deadline’s Pete Hammond called Wilde’s film a “candy-coated psychological thriller” about “the terror imposed by men controlling women’s bodies.”

Florence Pugh’s absence from the press conference was largely avoided.

Wilde addressed Pugh’s absence saying, “Florence is a force; we are so grateful she is able to make it tonight [to the premiere] despite being in production.” She wouldn’t draw in with the theory that proposed there may be different reasons. “As for all the endless tabloid gossip and noise out there, the internet feeds itself. I don’t feel I need to contribute to it. It’s sufficiently well-nourished.”

Don’t Worry Darling follows Alice (Pugh) and Jack (Styles) who seem lucky to be living in the idealized community of Victory, an exploratory organization town lodging the ones who work for the highly confidential Victory Project and their families. The 1950s cultural idealism upheld by their CEO, Frank (Pine) — equal parts corporate visionary and motivational life coach — anchors every aspect of daily life in the tight-knit desert utopia.

Venice Film Festival: Memorable Moments 1945-1984 Gallery

While the husbands spend every day inside the Victory Project Headquarters, working on the “development of progressive materials,” their wives — including Frank’s elegant partner, Shelley (Chan) — get to spend their time enjoying the beauty, luxury, and debauchery of their community. Life is great, with each occupant’s necessities met by the organization. All they ask consequently is carefulness and unquestioning obligation to the Victory cause.

But when cracks in their idyllic life begin to appear, exposing flashes of something much more sinister lurking beneath the attractive façade, Alice finds herself questioning exactly what they’re doing in Victory, and why.