In 1939, charismatic drifter Stanton Carlisle (Bradley Cooper) sets fire to his house and begins his life anew, taking up a job at a travelling carnival where he learns the secrets of mentalism. Running away to the big city with fellow carny Molly (Rooney Mara) and using his newly acquired tricks of the trade, he reinvents himself as a psychic known as ‘The Great Stanton’ in an effort to con the unsuspecting and wealthy elite of New York society. It all goes well, until a formidable psychiatrist (Cate Blanchett) sees through their act and ups the ante by proposing a dangerous scheme to swindle a powerful tycoon (Richard Jenkins).

As one would expect from the director of films like The Shape of Water and Pan’s Labyrinth, Nightmare Alley is a deeply cinematic, gorgeous film that is positively dripping in genre and pulpy, noir atmosphere. Deservingly nominated for four Oscars in 2022, including Best Picture.