Best Fake Friends

Best Fake Friends is a captivating drama mystery film that premiered in 2016, casting a spotlight on suburbia's dark side and the treacherous waters of female relationships. The screenplay is a blend of thrills and emotion, creating a compelling narrative that keeps audiences at the edge of their seats.

The film captures the life of Joy, excellently portrayed by Lauren Bowles, who relocates with her husband and two children to Portland, Oregon. The move is intended to give her family a fresh start following her husband's job loss and subsequent emotional struggles. The switch also serves to re-establish the couple's relationship, which had been strained due to their predicaments. So when they arrive in this picturesque suburbia, it appears that they have found the perfect solution - a beautiful house in a welcoming neighborhood with wonderfully friendly neighbors.

The story starts to take a turn when Joy gets introduced to a group of women who are immensely glamorous, charismatic, influential, and collectively known as the "neighborhood Barbies." Here, the character of Nicole, stunningly played by Victoria Smurfit, comes into play. This divinely beautiful, graceful woman leads the pack as she allures Joy into her world of extravagant parties, lavish lifestyles, and secret vendettas.

The 'Barbies' introduce Joy to a strikingly extravagant lifestyle filled with wild parties, designer clothes, gossip sessions, and deliriously dangerous games. Slowly but surely, Joy is dragged into their rigorous routine of maintaining appearances into their perfection-obsessed world. It is here that Joy begins to lose sight of her own identity, as her life becomes a whirlwind of wild parties, unending gossip, and maintaining an image of ideal suburban housewife perfection.

But beneath the glittering façade, secrets lurk. The Barbies are not as perfect as they seem. Their friendships, built on appearances and hollow intimacy, are fraught with competitiveness, jealousy, and betrayal. As Joy dives deeper into this new world, she begins to witness the dark and twisted side of the so-called perfect lives of her elegant friends.

The emotional complexity of Kiowa Gordon's character adds to the dramatic tension in the story. His role provides a critical perspective on the foreign lifestyle Joy finds herself intertwined with. The strong dramatic performances and the unfolding mystery make the film more than just another tale about suburban drama. It provides an exploration in the subtleties of man’s basic instincts, unearthing deep-seated fears and surprising protective mechanisms.

The narrative weaves around the dynamics of female friendships and the intense pressure they face to live up to standards of beauty, wealth, class, and success, particularly in a suburban setting. The relationships of these women may seem harmless on the outside but are full of bitter resentments, secret rivalries, and silent wars on the inside. More specifically, the film uncovers the dangers of these false friendships and the extreme lengths people can go in the quest for societal approval.

Best Fake Friends is a gripping investigation into the pressures of conformity, with its narrative driven by an impressive cast. Lauren Bowles, Victoria Smurfit, and Kiowa Gordon all deliver stellar performances that breathe life into their complex characters. Each actor deeply inhabits their role, contributing to the rich layers of depth and subtlety informing each character's motivations and actions.

The movie questions the true nature of friendship and explores the social realities of modern suburban life. It delves into the darkness that lies beneath the perfect surface, offering a potent commentary about society's obsession with maintaining appearances. More than being just a thriller, the film paints an authentic picture of the messy, challenging, and fiercely competitive world of womanhood, especially in a suburban context.

Best Fake Friends is undoubtedly a slow-burner, taking its time to ramp up the tension as the story rolls on. But once things start moving, it’s an exhilarating ride with a shocking climax. The movie's visual allure, combined with its strong narrative and dynamic characters, makes it a riveting watch from start to finish.