Poor Things: Unveiling the Plot of Yorgos Lanthimos' Sci-Fi Comedy
Poor Things: Yorgos Lanthimos' latest sci-fi comedy ventures into his signature realm of eccentricity Unveiling an intriguing storyline, it promises to captivate audiences Catch this cinematic gem in theaters soon!
Highlights
Yorgos Lanthimos' upcoming film "Poor Things" has received significant pre-release acclaim, including winning the Golden Lion at the Venice International Film Festival.
Lanthimos' distinctive approach to filmmaking merges dark humor and tragedy, impeccably framed, resulting in a polarizing experience for audiences.
"Poor Things" follows the narrative of Bella, a victim of suicide, who is revived by a twisted, deranged scientist and embarks on a transformative quest for self-discovery and freedom. This exceptional film boasts a stellar ensemble cast, featuring Emma Stone and Willem Dafoe.
Few films headed to theaters this upcoming awards season have garnered as much pre-release acclaim as Yorgos Lanthimos' dark sci-fi comedy Poor Things. Based on Alasdair Gray's 1992 novel of the same name, the film premiered in early September at the Venice International Film Festival, where it received the prestigious Golden Lion award from the festival jury. The buzz surrounding the film has translated into overwhelmingly positive press, with Metacritic giving it a score of 94 and Rotten Tomatoes reporting a 97% approval rating. This success is nothing new for Lanthimos, who has been a prominent and celebrated voice in cinema for over a decade.
Lanthimos may be familiar to audiences for his 2015 absurdist romantic comedy The Lobster, starring Colin Farrell and Rachel Weisz. However, it was his 2009 film Dogtooth that truly put him on the map. This equally absurd tale follows a secular family, portrayed by Greek actors Christos Stergioglou, Michele Valley Angeliki Papoulia, Christos Passalis, and Mary Tsoni, whose children have never experienced life beyond their enclosed countryside compound. Lanthimos further displayed his mastery of psychological drama with his 2011 film Alps.
What is Poor Things about?
A consistent pattern emerges in Lanthimos' filmography: his ability to elicit both laughter and discomfort from his audience. This pattern was evident in his past works such as The Lobster, a surreal romantic comedy from 2017, the psychological thriller The Killing of a Sacred Deer released in 2018, and the period comedy The Favourite. It is anticipated that Poor Things, his upcoming film, will follow suit. Here's a glimpse of what Lanthimos enthusiasts can anticipate from this highly-awaited release.
Following her Academy Award nomination for her performance in The Favourite, Emma Stone reunites with Lanthimos in a new project. She portrays Bella Baxter, a character who tragically takes her own life, only to be resurrected by Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe), an eccentric and disfigured scientist. Bella, much like the sheltered children in Dogtooth, hungers for a deeper understanding of existence and embarks on a quest for freedom and happiness alongside Duncan Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo), a slippery yet charismatic attorney. Joining the stellar cast are Ramy Youssef (known for his role in TV's Ramy), Margaret Qualley (featured in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood), Christopher Abbott (who also stars alongside Qualley in Sanctuary), and Jerrod Carmichael (seen in On the Count of Three, with Abbott).
The story's momentum is akin to that of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, albeit with a contemporary feminist twist. Bella's apparent suicide off a balcony is interrupted when Baxter discovers her lifeless body and employs an electromagnetic contraption to revive her. She encounters Max McCandles (Youssef), seemingly the first man other than Baxter whom she has ever laid eyes upon. Bella nurtures a few experimental hybrid creatures, witnesses an unimaginable society, and eventually encounters Wedderburn, leading to her personal and sexual awakening. Anticipation of tension and humor lies ahead.
When is Poor Things Coming to Theaters?
Poor Things was initially set to be released shortly after its premiere at the Venice film festival on September 8, 2023. However, due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, the release date has been postponed to December 8. The studio, renamed Searchlight Pictures from Fox Searchlight, made this decision in order to allow the film to gain momentum by participating in more festivals such as Telluride, the New York Film Festival, and the British Film Institute's London Film Festival, among others. It will be intriguing to observe the film's success at the box office and in terms of awards publicity, considering the actors are unable to promote it due to the SAG strike regulations. Searchlight Pictures plans to adopt a platform release strategy, commencing in New York and Los Angeles during its opening week and gradually expanding to other cities as the year progresses. The studio hopes that positive word-of-mouth will attract audiences to theaters.
Understanding Yorgos Lanthimos
For those who are unfamiliar with the works of the Greek Weird Wave auteur, it is advisable to watch one of his films prior to viewing Poor Things, as Lanthimos' distinctive and polarizing filmmaking style is on full display. His characters frequently employ a deadpan delivery, their misfortunes are intended to evoke ironic humor, and each shot is meticulously framed. One of his signature techniques involves contrasting human behavior with that of animals, often accentuated with shocking instances of animal cruelty (a disclaimer of importance for those who find this theme uncomfortable).
Lanthimos' undeniable talent has continued to captivate audiences as he collaborates repeatedly with actors such as Farrell, Weisz, and now Stone. Their latest venture, titled AND, marks their third film together. While the release date remains unknown, the cast includes familiar faces from Poor Things, such as Dafoe, Qualley, and Alwyn from The Favourite. Excitingly, talented newcomers like Plemons, Chau, and Athie have also joined the project. Movie enthusiasts eagerly anticipate catching a glimpse of this mysterious venture in theaters, eagerly watching the trailers leading up to Poor Things.
