This is my first Yorgos Lanthimos film, he’s known for his unique and often eccentric filmmaking style that I’ve just experienced with this daring and intriguing film. Here, he takes on the challenge of adapting Alasdair Gray’s Poor Things to the silver screen with Tony McNamara and has gathered quite the cast for it that includes Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe, Ramy Youssef (Ramy), Mark Ruffalo, Jerrod Carmichael (The Carmichael Show), Christopher Abbott (Catch 22), Margaret Qualley (Stars at Noon), Suzy Bemba (Drift), and Kathryn Hunter (Tragedy of Macbeth).

Premise: The incredible tale of the fantastical evolution of Bella Baxter; a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist, Dr. Godwin Baxter.

Review: We cannot discuss this film without mentioning its explicit scenes. Poor Things is unapologetically bold, it features raw and graphic sex scenes that are surprisingly not titillating, at least they weren’t for me…ok maybe one, the one in Paris on the bed with Toinette, that was sweet. Lanthimos manages to navigate that fine line between sensuality and storytelling, creating an atmosphere where nudity becomes natural and a narrative tool. There is an awkwardness to start with for sure because of the directional choices, cinematography, blending of genres, and even the score but the explicit scenes might be jarring for some even though they serve a purpose in portraying the complex relationships and themes presented in Gray’s work.

Stone takes on the role of Bella Baxter and she’s mesmerizing, her performance is captivating. She is gorgeous, this film does not shy away from showcasing it as a core aspect of her character’s vulnerability. She captures the complexities of her character really well by bringing depth to Bella.

Ramy Youssef’s casting as Max McCandles is a stroke of genius. He not only delivers a stellar performance adding an authenticity to his characters that fits with the eccentric world Lanthimos has created. Youssef also shares a palpable chemistry with Stone. Their on-screen dynamic is so great that I need to see them in a romantic comedy as the leads.

However, this movie is not without flaws but most of mine are nitpicky. There are a few accent slips, they are not as distracting as they could’ve been, yet it’s funny to realize that most of the actors do not speak in their natural accents.

Poor Things can be described as awkwardly gorgeous. Lanthimos’ visual style creates a world that is both unsettling and beautiful. The juxtaposition of the bizarre with the aesthetically pleasing and unconventional narrative enhances the film’s overall impact. No matter your thoughts about it Lanthimos delivered a cinematic experience that lingers in the mind.

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