Summary

• Love Lies Bleeding is now one of Kristen Stewart's highest-rated films, with a 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
• Stewart's portrayal of Lou in the film has gained critical praise for her powerful and standout performance.
• Director Rose Glass, known for the horror film Saint Maud, brings a unique style to Love Lies Bleeding.

The latest outing from Kristen Stewart, A24 and Film4's Love Lies Bleeding, is earning early praise, and is now one of the actress' highest-rated Rotten Tomatoes films with its current 90% score. Love Lies Bleeding is set in the 1980s and follows Lou (Stewart), a recluse gym manager who falls for bodybuilder Jackie (Katy O'Brian) who is passing through town while on her way to a competition in Las Vegas. Their love takes a violent turn as the two become deeply involved with Lou's criminal family. Directed by Rose Glass from a screenplay she co-scribed with Weronika Tofilska (Hanna), the romantic thriller stars Stewart and O'Brian alongside Jena Malone, Anna Baryshnikov, and Dave Franco.

Love Lies Bleeding is Stewart's third film boasting an over 90% rating on the review site; it joins 2014's Clouds of Sils Maria which earned Juliette Binoche and Stewart critical praise and a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and 2016's Certain Women, starring Stewart, Laura Dern, and Michelle Williams, which holds a 92% rating. Stewart also appeared in the Anton Yelchin documentary Love, Antosha, which holds a 97% rating.

For her portrayal of Lou in Love Lies Bleeding, Stewart has gained consistent praise, with many critics noting a standout performance from the Twilight star. The Wrap's Matthew Creid writes that she "proves to be a powerhouse performer in a role defined by sexuality, love, lust, anger, and connection," while Bloody Disgusting's review praises the film's entire cast, but makes special note of Stewart and O'Brian:

"For all the wild turns and gruesome bursts of violence and dead bodies, it’s the cast that shines brightest. Harris’ cool crime boss earns admiration despite knowing what he’s capable of. Baryshnikov’s Daisy is a scene stealer for her utter weirdness, and Malone is well cast as Lou’s oddball sister. But the movie belongs to Stewart, who uplifts every scene partner, and O’Brian, who grows more assured and confident in her role as the events progress into complete madness," Meagan Navarro writes.

Rose Glass' Sophomore Feature Shares Some Similarities with Saint Maud

Horror fans and film buffs are likely to be excited by Glass' participation in the film. Love Lies Bleeding marks Glass' sophomore feature directorial effort, following the critically lauded, and BAFTA nominated, horror Saint Maud. The 2019 film, written and directed by Glass, starred Morfydd Clark as a religious private carer who becomes dangerously fixated with saving the soul of her patient.

While Love LIes Bleeding may seem like a departure from Glass' Saint Maud, Glass shares that there are some similarities between the two, as she recently told Total Film (via GamesRadar):

"There are parallels between Jackie's character and Maud. They're both trying to transform themselves, and arguably not in the most responsible ways."

Stewart is next set to appear in the comedy Sacramento and the thriller Rosebushpruning, and is set to write and direct an adaptation of Lidia Yuknavitch's memoir The Chronology of Water, which would mark her feature directorial debut.

Love Lies Bleeding premiered at the Sundance Fim Festival on January 20 and lands in theaters on March 8.