Time: 142 Minutes
Age Rating: R18 – Body horror, sex scenes, nudity & offensive language
Cast:
Emma Stone as Bella Baxter
Mark Ruffalo as Duncan Wedderburn
Willem Dafoe as Dr. Godwin “God” Baxter
Ramy Youssef as Max McCandles
Christopher Abbott as Alfie Blessington
Kathryn Hunter as Madame Swiney
Jerrod Carmichael as Harry Astley
Director: Yorgos Lanthimos

Poor Things was one of my most anticipated movies of 2023. 5 years after his last film The Favourite, Yorgos Lanthimos’s latest quirky and strange film unsurprisingly ends up as one of the best of the year.

As expected with this being a Lanthimos movie, Poor Things is bizarre, darkly comic, and leans into the absurd and cartoonish side of things. It will definitely be too weird for some, and within the first 30 minutes you can probably tell whether it’ll be for you or not. It’s an ambitious movie, both stylistically and with what it’s trying to convey. This is essentially a weird coming of age movie, as the protagonist goes on a journey of self discovery, independence and awakening. It just so happens that the protagonist is a resurrected woman who begins the movie with a baby’s brain (it’s explained in the film). A lot of it could go wrong, but I thought it overall worked. It does a good job at balancing the absurd comedy and the darker aspects. It is very entertaining, helped by the fantastical world, over the top characters, and the oddball and off kilter nature. At the same time it had a real heart to it, and it is oddly sincere and charming. Much of the movie consists of the main character going from one place to another, experiencing the world and life and we are just along for the ride. I’m not certain how well it’ll hold up on rewatches, but from my first viewing, I didn’t find any of it to drag too much.

The performances are a highlight of the movie. Emma Stone gives a fearless and committed performance as protagonist Bella Baxter, and I’d argue it’s her best work yet. This really is the kind of movie where its degree of success heavily depends on its lead actor. Stone brings so much to her character and helps to convey Bella’s story of self-discovery. She shows every facet of her mental and emotional journey and how she changes at every stage of her life. An unhinged yet fully realised and amazing performance. Willem Dafoe is typically excellent as the mad scientist who created Bella. Mark Ruffalo is also a standout, in his craziest performance yet. His turn is a play against type as he plays a very different and sleazy character, and he brings it to the part. He’s also just hilarious and a delight when he’s on screen. Other actors like Ramy Youssef, Jerrod Carmichael, Kathryn Hunter, Christopher Abbott and Margaret Qualley are great here too.

Yorgos Lanthimos’s direction is outstanding, it is technically dazzling and his most ambitious project to date. It is a gorgeous looking and striking film, I love the use of colour here. The early part of the movie is set in black and white and when Bella leaves to explore the world, the rest of the movie is in colour, but is deliberately very vibrant, so much of the outside world looks alien and otherworldly. The artificial look is intentional, and it fits, even the uncanny and fake looking CGI works to its benefit. I also really liked the unique camera techniques, and the use of fisheye and wide angles, which help to elevate the gonzo feel of the movie. The settings are grand, wild, and immaculate, and the costume designs are stunning. The score from Jerskin Fendrix helps to highlight the offbeat nature of the whole film.

Poor Things is wonderfully bizarre, original, visually gorgeous, phenomenally directed, and darkly funny, with amazing performances, especially from a career best Emma Stone. Up there alongside The Favourite for Yorgos Lanthimos’s best movie, and one of the best of the year.