A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night garnered much international praise, and beguiles with its blend of spaghetti Western and Jarmuschian film noir. But it's difficult to separate the just plaudits for its immersive mood and stylised look from the constant awareness that elements like drug-taking, prostitution and a total lack of religious presence are simply not what you expect from an Iranian film, and so there is a great temptation to be seduced by the novelty of that alone. It does look gorgeous in inky monochrome, uses music to great effect and understands the value of stillness, but, like its characters, doesn't actually know where to go. Still, it will be intriguing to see what Amirpour does next: there is an evident self-assuredness in the direction that promises a great deal.
6/10
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