POOR THINGS
Starring: Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe, Ramy Youssef, and Jerrod Carmichael
Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
QUENTIN
Poor Things is a hilariously dark and incredibly horny fairy tale oddity that is deserving of every award it is sure to win this year. The world created by director Yorgos Lanthimos is gorgeously brought to life through powerhouse performances from the entire cast, but especially Emma Stone and Mark Ruffalo in career-best showings. On top of that, themes of feminism and self-discovery, as well as a commentary on the patriarchy, are executed brilliantly. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen, it’s near perfect, and it’s easily the best movie of the year.
PAIGE
Poor Things is a brilliantly bizarre exploration of rebirth that offers a beautifully deranged portrait of what it means to be human, turning the very idea on its head. It allows Emma Stone, who deserves all the praise (including the Best Actress Oscar), to breathe life into her odd character. That said, the second half of the film drags a bit, and it can feel somewhat repetitive. However, that doesn’t take away from the fact that this is one of the most stunning films of the year, from its performances to the steampunk production design to the magnificent costumes. This film truly is the full package.
AMARÚ
I’ve watched plenty of straightforward movies and asked, “WTF was that for?” But with Poor Things, I immensely enjoyed every WTF-moment director Yorgos Lanthimos and writers Tony McNamara and Alasdair Gray presented (there are a lot). It’s best not knowing WTF this movie is about before watching because all involved create a cinematic WTF-of-an-onion textured with progressively entertaining layers that are anxiously waiting to be discovered. Everything from the idiosyncratic script to the madcap score is heightened to bolster the insanely hilarious cast, capped by perhaps Emma Stone’s best performance to date. Poor Things is absolutely bonkers, and I adored every WTF it made me utter.
NICK
If you’ve never seen a Yorgos Lanthimos film, Poor Things will likely take you by surprise. If you have… I think Poor Things may still take you by surprise. This absurdist Frankenstein-inspired story is bound to be the most visually impressive film you’ve seen this year, and it has the performances to match it. Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe, and Mark Ruffalo (who is my personal highlight) all portray their own interpretations of real-life cartoon characters, but much like the cartoon world they inhabit, they are grounded in dimension and realism. This is a film you need to see to believe. A spectacle in the truest form.
ADRIANO
There is no limit to the zany imagination of director Yorgos Lanthimos and writer Tony McNamara, and Poor Things is further proof of that. Its third act drags just a little bit, but beyond that, I found Poor Things to be unflinching and fully devoted to its bizarre concept that offers a hilarious examination of individuality in women. Beyond its unique craftsmanship, the film features Emma Stone at her most committed as Bella Baxter, alongside a cast fully on board with Lanthimos' vision, namely a hysterical Mark Ruffalo and a soulful Willem Dafoe. There's truly nothing like Poor Things.
CALEB
I’m not sure how to feel about Poor Things. I adored the visuals, but I was torn on the narrative. Tony McNamara’s script is undeniably hilarious, but I’m not sure I understand what he’s trying to say about femininity. Most of the film is about a woman with the brain of a child finding herself by having sex, which is well… yeah. It’s all pretty tongue-in-cheek, but Poor Things seems to be making the point that feminine development is primarily driven by men. Maybe there’s some truth to that, but it’s still a tad too freudian for my liking.
This film was reviewed by Quentin and Paige as part of Bitesize Breakdown's coverage of the 2023 Venice International Film Festival and the 2023 New York Film Festival, respectively.