Anya Taylor-Joy, Thomasin McKenzie and Matt Smith head back to the not-so-swinging sixties.
It’s always an event when acclaimed director Edgar Wright releases a movie, whether it’s one of his Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy with frequent collaborator Simon Pegg or experimental heist film Baby Driver.
However his next film looks to be a perfectly timed Halloween event film, as the comedy legend turns his hand to pure horror for the first time – with strikingly original results.
Last Night in Soho is a mysterious psychological thriller that follows an aspiring fashion designer obsessed with the 1960s who somehow gets to travel back in time to her favourite decade, though she might want to be careful what she wishes for…
Wright has quite the up-and-coming cast on board – including The Queen’s Gambit star Anya Taylor-Joy, Jojo Rabbit’s Thomasin McKenzie and The Crown‘s Matt Smith.
You may well just be crying rather than crying with laughter at this Edgar Wright film – here’s everything you need to know about Last Night in Soho.
Last Night in Soho release date
Last Night in Soho will have a prime Halloween release window, slinking into theatres in the UK on 29th October.
The psychological horror previously had release dates in September 2020 and April 2021, but has been delayed twice due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Last Night in Soho cast
You’re invited to a journey back in time. #LastNightInSoho pic.twitter.com/J4a7uCvJHK
— Last Night in Soho (@lastnightinsoho) May 25, 2021
There’s only a small cast as most of the film appears to be a two-hander – but Wright has chosen two of the biggest rising stars in the world right now to play the two leads.
Anya Taylor-Joy, known of course for playing chess prodigy Beth Harmon in Netflix’s smash hit The Queen’s Gambit, will be heading back to the 1960s once again as famous singer Sandy. She’ll share a mysterious link with modern-day fashion designer Eloise, who will be played by Thomasin McKenzie, the breakout star of 2018 drama Leave No Trace and World War 2 dramedy Jojo Rabbit.
Love interest Jack will be portrayed by Matt Smith, who is, of course, best remembered for playing British icons Doctor Who and Prince Philip in Netflix’s The Crown.
The film will also be notable for the final on-screen performances of Dame Diana Rigg and Carry On icon Margaret Nolan, after the two passed away in 2020.
Wright has also fittingly cast ’60s stars Rita Tushingham (Doctor Zhivago) and Terence Stamp (Far from the Madding Crowd), while Harry Potter‘s Fred and George duo James and Oliver Phelps will also appear in undisclosed roles.
Last Night in Soho trailer
Released in May 2021, the trailer does not give much away but is absolutely dripping in style. Listen out for Anya Taylor-Joy’s singing:
Last Night in Soho age rating
There’s no age rating for Last Night in Soho just yet, but from the disturbing horror vibe of the first trailer – as well as many of Edgar Wright’s previous films – we’d expect the psychological thriller to receive a 15 classification in the UK.
Last Night in Soho plot
Even with a trailer, there are a few concrete plot details known about the mysterious Last Night in Soho. The film appears to follow present-day fashion designer Eloise (McKenzie) who is somehow able to travel back to the 1960s where she seemingly takes over the body of her idol, London singer Sandy (Taylor-Joy).
While in Sandy’s body, Eloise then embarks on a romantic relationship with the slightly sinister-looking Jack (Smith). However, according to the synopsis, 1960s London is not what it appears to be, and time starts to fall apart with shady consequences – as hinted at in the trailer as it slowly descends into a full-blown horror.
There seems to be plenty of twists and turns along the way, with the trailer remaining intentionally vague as to not ruin the many surprises and reveals.
Wright has cited classic British horror films Don’t Look Now and Repulsion as influences, and cast several 60s icons such as Rigg and Stamp to pay homage to the decade he has a clear fascination for.
“There’s something I have in common with the lead character in that I’m afflicted with nostalgia for a decade I didn’t live in,” Wright told Empire. “You think about ‘60s London — what would that be like? And the reality of the decade is maybe not what she imagines. It has an element of ‘be careful what you wish for.’”
Last Night in Soho reviews
Last Night in Soho had a rather glamorous premiere at the Venice Film Festival, where the first reviews came trickling out – and they were (almost) overwhelmingly positive.
LAST NIGHT IN SOHO is a terrific and terrifying ghost story, hearkening back to the golden age of horror cinema from the ’60s and ’70s. The craft is impeccable, McKenzie is a star in the making, and the soundtrack is hauntingly beautiful. Loved it!#Venezia78 #LastNightInSoho pic.twitter.com/zrZ2ZYUMzS
— Nicolò Grasso @Venice Film Festival (@nickygra97) September 4, 2021
Despite being his first dabble with serious horror, Wright’s work in the genre was praised:
#LastNightInSoho is best when it remembers to be a horror movie, as it delivers some effective scares and striking nightmarish imagery. For once, Edgar Wright over does it with the music. Anya Taylor-Joy is fantastic. pic.twitter.com/pA0us2ktGi
— Rafael Motamayor @ Venice (@RafaelMotamayor) September 4, 2021
Wright’s willingness to try something new was again praised, as was his choice of music:
Last Night in Soho – This rocks!! #MeToo era horror!! Edgar Wright’s time skippin London thriller is unlike anything he’s made before, but still as great as everything he’s made before. 60s tunes soundtrack is fantastic! Thomasin McKenzie is superb! What a killer trip. #Venezia78
— Alex Billington @ #Venezia78 (@firstshowing) September 4, 2021
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Anya Taylor-Joy and Thomasin McKenzie’s performances received particular acclaim:
Edgar Wright’s Last Night in Soho is a stylish, immaculately crafted ghost story that reveals its filmmaker at his most devilish yet sincere. Anya Taylor-Joy & Thomasin McKenzie also display remarkable chemistry for actors who always have a pane of glass between them. #Venezia78 pic.twitter.com/Xnlw6LKWgM
— David Crow (@DCrowsNest) September 4, 2021
Last Night in Soho is scheduled for release in the UK on 29th October 2021. Looking for something else to watch in the meantime? Check out our TV Guide or visit our dedicated Movies hub for the latest film news.