Academy Award nominee Yorgos Lanthimos is one of the most unique and exciting filmmakers working today. Since my first introduction to his work back at the 2015 New York Film Festival with The Lobster, the filmmaker has not let me down yet. His work continues to test boundaries and successfully create a cinematic voice worthy of consistent praise and excitement.
Along with his consistent direction, Lanthimos can bring the best out of his actors, and his first collaboration with Academy Award winner Emma Stone in The Favourite is a perfect example, showing why she’s one of the most talent actresses working today. So, it’s safe to say their follow-up collaboration, Poor Things, was at the top of my most anticipated films of 2023.
The result of that anticipation? It is one of the most creative cinematic experiences of the year. Poor Things is a whimsical and inventive creation that stands as Yorgos Lanthimos’ best film yet. It is an ambitious tale of sex, bolts, second chances, and liberation led by a tour de force Oscar-worthy Emma Stone performance.
Adapted from the novel of the same name, Poor Things enters the world of Bella Baxter (Stone). Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe) reanimates a woman who falls to her death with her unborn child. Baxter takes the unborn child’s brain and inserts it into her mother, Bella, who is then reborn and begins to grow at a dramatic pace – Bella. As Bella grows, she becomes curious about the outside world and her sexuality. This leads to Bella going on an adventure of self-discovery and liberation.
Tony McNamara’s screenplay is dynamite! With one of the best scripts of this year at Lanthimos’ disposal, Poor Things comes to life impeccably as comedy, feminism, and sexual liberation all click beautifully together. McNamara’s screenplay never feels exploitative, effectively creating a purpose for Bella’s growth throughout the film.
Cinematographer Robbie Ryan brings to life the immaculate production design. Competing with Barbie for the most impressive production of the year, Poor Things is a visual feast that channels early Tim Burton while still bringing its steampunk flavor to the design.
Poor Things‘ ensemble is a sight to behold. As the days passed since I saw the film, I’ve grown to adore Willem Dafoe’s performance more. He carries the film’s heart in his hand and adds quite the emotional punch in the film’s third act. Mark Ruffalo may have given my favorite performance of his career thus far. Ruffalo is hilarious, and I’ve never seen him offer such a hammy take in a film before. I was here for every moment he was on screen.
With that being said, the star of this film is Emma Stone. I can’t put into words how incredible Stone was, but I am surely going to try. Stone’s physical comedy has always been one of my favorite aspects of her talents, but she takes it up another level and is an absolute riot. Perfectly balancing Bella’s humor and emotional depth, there is not a moment you are not invested in Bella’s growth, and that’s all due to Stone’s performance. This feels like the awards sweeper of the season!
Poor Things is, without a doubt, an across-the-board Oscar contender. Yorgos Lanthimos’ creation is one of the grandest achievements of the year and will stand as one of his masterpieces as the years pass.
