After a young woman named Bella Baxter is brought back to life by an unconventional scientist, she embarks on a whirlwind adventure with a lawyer, crossing continents and challenging societal expectations along the way. Bella, free from the prejudices of her time, discovers a purpose driven by equality, freedom, and self-discovery.
It's an ambitious setup, and poor things dives headfirst into its themes with a fresh perspective that's rare in today's movies.
Yorgos Lantimos, who's known for his unique style, truly makes this story his own.
Let's start with the storyline and direction. At its core, poor things feels like a wildly creative take on Frankenstein, but it's so much more than a sci-fi reanimation story.
Lantimos, with his distinctive style, guides us through Bella's complex journey of self-discovery,
independence and empowerment.
He's on a mission to explore her world on her own terms, and every city she visits brings new challenges and pushes the story in unexpected ways.
What I loved here is how Lantimos layers the narrative with a mix of dark humor and philosophical depth.
We get to watch Bella navigate through innocence and cruelty, facing a world that has both
nurtured and distorted our human instincts.
It's a film that makes you think about society's impact on us, especially on women like Bella, who are trying to carve out their place in a society that's not always welcoming. Bella's both thought-provoking and visually captivating.
Now let's talk about the performances. Emma Stone as Bella Baxter is just phenomenal. She gives a performance that is intense, fearless and transformative. Bella's character is unlike any other role Emma has taken on before, and she brings this sense of curiosity, rebellion and vulnerability to life in a way that feels both raw and genuine.
No wonder she won the Academy Award for Best Actress for this role, and it's not just Emma who shines here.
William DeFoe and Mark Ruffalo also deliver impressive performances, each bringing their own strengths to the film. DeFoe's character, the eccentric scientist who brings Bella back to life, is both complex
and slightly unsettling while Ruffalo as the lawyer adds a contrasting energy to Bella's wild journey. Together they create a powerful and unforgettable ensemble.
Visually, Poor things is an absolute masterpiece. Lantimos has created a world that's both whimsical and hauntingly beautiful, and his attention to detail is outstanding.
The costumes are elaborate, the sets are immersive, and every single frame is thoughtfully crafted. It's no surprise that this movie took home the Academy Award for Best Production Design. It's well deserved.
The cinematography is dreamlike, with compositions that make you feel like you're floating through Bella's surreal journey, the costumes alone feel like extensions of the characters. Bella's outfits, for instance, capture her personality and her evolution perfectly.
It all adds to the film's unique visual style, drawing you deeper into this imaginative world.
Now let's dive into the themes because Poor things is filled with them. This isn't just a story about Bella, it's an exploration of what it means to be human, to challenge societal norms, and to embrace curiosity and self-discovery. There's a reflective tone to it that forces us to think about why, as adults, we often lose that childlike curiosity and freedom.
However, despite its lighter humorous moments, the film isn't afraid to tackle some darker, more mature topics. There are scenes with sexual content and nudity that are quite bold. It's all in line with the story's exploration of freedom and self-expression, but for some
viewers these elements might feel intense.
Speaking of the mature content, let's talk about the film's downsides. From my perspective, Poor things go a bit overboard with the nudity and explicit scenes. While I get that these choices fit the themes of liberation and self-expression, they can be a bit jarring or excessive at times. If you're not comfortable with that kind of content, this movie might not be for you. I found myself wondering at points if all that nudity was necessary, or if it sometimes took away from the overall impact of the story. So, heads up.
It's definitely something to consider before watching.
To wrap things up, poor things is truly a one-of-a-kind film. It's ambitious, visually stunning, and offers a layered exploration of humanity, independence, and societal constraints. If you're up for an adventure that's both whimsical and thought-provoking, this is
absolutely worth a watch.
That said, this movie isn't for everyone. If you're sensitive to mature content or just prefer a more straightforward story, you might want to give it a pass. But for those who enjoy deep themes, creative storytelling, and a bit of the unconventional, Poor things is an unforgettable cinematic journey.
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I fully agree with everything you said, the dreamy atmospheres, the submissive messages and the beauty and difference of a truly particular film and I also agree that the hypersexualisation of the film in some scenes was exaggerated or rather unnecessary.
I watched it for a review I was asked to do a while back and while I share your opinion about the acting work of the main characters we see in this film, the mix of still and moving camera styles with a combination of grey shots that then turn colourful and finally dark, It is also true that the film goes far beyond its sexual and explicit content. Well, you could say that this modern, feminine version of the great cinematic classic that is "Frankenstein" is not bad. But that's it.
Good review.