About the film (courtesy of Searchlight Pictures):
From filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos and producer Emma Stone comes the incredible tale and fantastical evolution of Bella Baxter (Stone), a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe). Under Baxter’s protection, Bella is eager to learn. Hungry for the worldliness she is lacking, Bella runs off with Duncan Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo), a slick and debauched lawyer, on a whirlwind adventure across the continents. Free from the prejudices of her times, Bella grows steadfast in her purpose to stand for equality and liberation.
Yorgos Lanthimos’ Poor Things is a gloriously strange and captivating film that defies easy categorization. Part gothic comedy, part Victorian romance, part philosophical treatise on identity and consciousness, it’s a wild ride that will leave you both entertained and pondering long after for the days to follow.
Poor Things centers on Bella Baxter (Emma Stone), a young woman brought back to life by an unorthodox scientist, Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe). Bella is not your typical Frankenstein creation. She’s intelligent, curious, and fiercely independent, but she also possesses the innocence and naiveté of a child.
Bella’s journey through Victorian society is both humorous and heartbreaking. She’s ostracized and exploited due to her unconventional origins, yet she remains resilient and optimistic. Her determination to find her place in the world and understand her own identity is the driving force of the film.
Lanthimos’ signature style is in full force here, with his trademark deadpan humor, surreal visuals, and meticulously crafted world-building. Poor Things is a visual feast, with stunning cinematography and production design that transport you to a world both familiar and strange.
Stone delivers an astonishing performance as Bella, capturing both her vulnerability and strength. She’s perfectly matched by Dafoe, who is both menacing and surprisingly sympathetic as Dr. Baxter. The supporting cast is also excellent, with standout performances from Mark Ruffalo and Olivia Colman.
While Poor Things is undeniably entertaining, it’s also a film that asks profound questions about the nature of life, death, and consciousness. It’s a film that will stay with you long after you’ve seen it, prompting you to think about your own place in the universe and what it means to be human.
You can see Poor Things in theaters starting December 22nd. While not your “traditional” holiday film choice, this one should be high on your list to see.
