Peter Strickland Apr 2026
With In Fabric (2018), Strickland took on the occult nature of consumerism. The story of a killer dress is told through the lens of mid-century department store aesthetics—all high-contrast reds, ominous catalogs, and the eerie, rhythmic chanting of salesclerks. It’s a reminder that we don't just own our possessions; they often possess us. Why He Matters Now
In a modern cinematic landscape often criticized for looking like "content"—flat, digital, and disposable—the films of feel dangerously physical. To watch a Strickland film isn’t just to observe a story; it’s to be subjected to a series of textures, smells, and sounds that feel almost invasive. Peter Strickland
Strickland’s work is a vital bridge between the avant-garde and narrative cinema. Drawing from 70s sexploitation, Euro-horror, and radio drama, he creates "hauntological" dreamscapes that feel both ancient and contemporary. With In Fabric (2018), Strickland took on the
While many directors approach kink with a "shock value" lens, Strickland treats it with a mix of deadpan humor and profound tenderness. The Duke of Burgundy (2014) (0.5.9) is perhaps his masterpiece—a lush, lepidopterist-themed romance that uses ritualized S&M to explore the very human exhaustion of maintaining a relationship. It’s a film that includes a "perfumes by" credit, highlighting his obsession with the atmosphere over traditional plot. 3. Retail Therapy Gone Wrong Why He Matters Now In a modern cinematic
His most recent effort, Flux Gourmet (2022), continues this trend by exploring "sonic catering" and the literal politics of digestion. Though he has recently shared on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) (0.5.4) that financing for his next project has been difficult to secure, his influence remains a beacon for anyone who believes cinema should be felt as much as it is seen.
From the wet crunch of a vegetable being hacked to pieces in a foley studio to the scratchy lace of a cursed dress, Strickland has carved out a niche as the master of the "sensory uncanny". 1. Sound as a Weapon of Horror
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