You watching Poor Things in the cinema is what Bella Baxter would have wanted.
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2023 was a banner year for women being unapologetically themselves in pop culture. From girl trends on social media to the Barbie phenomenon, the past year was all about women being, well, women and finding no shame in it. And in this shuffle was a movie that, while not breaking box office records like Barbie, was earning rave reviews across the globe. That movie was Poor Things, and after an extremely brief run during QCinema 2023, the movie is finally getting a wide cinema release in the country.
From director Yorgos Lanthimos comes the incredible tale and fantastical evolution of Bella Baxter (Emma 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.
As one of 2023’s best movies, Poor Things is a must-see artistic explosion. But in case you need more convincing on why the film needs to be on your radar, we lay down a few things we adored about Poor Things.
IT’S A YORGOS LANTHIMOS MOVIE
Yorgos Lanthimos will always zig when everyone else zags. From The Lobster, The Killing of a Sacred Deer, The Favorite, and more, the Greek director has delivered some of the most exciting arthouse films in recent years. And that continues for his latest effort Poor Things, which also is arguably his best yet.
The eccentric film centers on the idea of a woman finding her autonomy in a strange world yet does so in a way only Lanthimos can do. The director, along with screenwriter Tony McNamara, delivers a funny, whimsical, and uncompromising riot on womanhood in Poor Things. Also, it’s not every day that a movie from one of Europe’s finest directors gets a cinema release locally, so it’s a moment not to be missed.
THE ACTING IS TOP NOTCH
From Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe, and more, the whole cast delivers what can be described as an acting masterclass. Stone, in particular, shines as the curious yet blunt Bella Baxter. If “read the room” was a person, it would be Bella, but in a good way. Since Bella was a creation of Dr. Baxter, she acts like a grown baby learning her way through the world, a trait that Stone captures exceptionally.
Seeing Bella’s journey from a naive young woman to an independent baddie is a satisfying journey to watch, made all the better by Stone’s A+ acting. Another highlight to watch out for is Mark Ruffalo’s Duncan Wedderburn, whose breakdown from a suave bachelor who sweeps Bella off her feet to going literally insane because of how blunt she is leads to the movie’s biggest laughs.
IT’S HIGHKEY FUNNY
If you’re coming in thinking that Poor Things is just a drama, you’re getting half the story. The film is surprisingly quite funny, with sharp and witty lines and even sharper delivery, making for great comedic punches. Since Bella has no filter and says what’s on her mind, it leads to some hilarious scenarios and conversations. It’s a dark and mature comedy that doesn’t skimp on the adult content (which there is a lot of in the film), but it also doesn’t punch down for laughs. Bella and Duncan’s clash of personalities and worldviews is what crowd-pleasing moments are made out of.
IT HAS AN EMPOWERING TALE
At the heart of Poor Things is a young woman discovering the world and herself after being kept indoors for all her life, and during the movie’s more than two-hour run time, it doesn’t lose sight of that. From her adolescent years to realizing her autonomy and that she is in control of her life in a misogynistic world, this is Bella’s story and journey through and through. This is her awakening, physically, mentally, emotionally, and sexually.
While Poor Things is set in a world away from ours, its themes are relatable and speak to wanting to be free from the restraints of society. Blending a unique mix of drama, romance, and grim humor, Poor Things delves into the nature of humanity, challenging viewers to reflect on the complexities of self-discovery, unconventional alliances, and the passionate commitment to break barriers and shatter the glass ceiling.
THE PRODUCTION IS *CHEF’S KISS*
It’s not easy to make each frame of a movie feel like a moving painting, but that’s exactly what Poor Things achieves. The cinematography by Robbie Ryan is stunning with how the movie dynamically moves between each scene with varied camera angles and plays with black and white and color. The production design from James Price and Shona Heath brings to life this 1800s Europe with fantastical elements. From painted backgrounds to actual sets, the movie’s visual identity is bold and grabs your attention by the first frame.
Meanwhile, the costume work from Holly Waddington and hair, make-up, and prosthetics from Nadia Stacey add to the film’s whimsy. The looks are eating, and Bella’s jet-black hair has us wanting to grow our hair out. It’s not an exaggeration to say that Poor Things is a triumph from start to finish.
Poor Things is now showing in cinemas nationwide.
Photos courtesy of Searchlight Pictures
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