Introduction
Poor Things is a movie that will surprise you. Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, known for his weird and unique films like The Lobster and The Favourite, this film is no exception. It is based on a novel by Alasdair Gray. The story is dark, funny, and filled with strange characters.
Poor Things movie mixes fantasy, comedy, and drama in a way that feels both old-fashioned and completely new. If you enjoy stories that make you think while laughing, this film is worth watching.
The Plot
Poor Things movie follows Bella Baxter (played by Emma Stone), a young woman brought back to life by a scientist named Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe). Dr. Baxter replaces Bella’s brain with that of her unborn child, making her act like a child in a grown woman’s body. The story is set in a strange version of Victorian London, with steampunk-style machines and odd inventions.
Bella starts as a curious, childlike person. She learns to walk, talk, and understand the world around her. Dr. Baxter keeps her locked in his house, but Bella wants freedom. She runs away with a selfish lawyer named Duncan Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo). Together, they travel across Europe, and Bella discovers life’s pleasures and pains. She meets different people, experiences love and heartbreak, and slowly becomes her own person.
The plot is divided into chapters, like a book. Each chapter shows Bella’s growth. By the end, she challenges the rules of society, especially those controlling women.
Characters and Performances
Emma Stone gives one of her best performances as Bella. She starts with clumsy movements and a high-pitched voice, like a toddler. As Bella grows smarter, Stone shows her transformation subtly. Her facial expressions and body language change. By the end, Bella is confident and fierce.
Willem Dafoe plays Dr. Baxter, a scarred, lonely genius. His character is both creepy and sad. His face is covered in scars from his father’s experiments, and he speaks in a calm, quiet voice. You feel sorry for him, even when he does questionable things.
Mark Ruffalo is hilarious as Duncan, the lawyer. He is arrogant, childish, and overly dramatic. Ruffalo’s comedic timing shines here. Duncan thinks he’s charming, but everyone can see he’s a fool. His downfall as Bella outgrows him is both funny and satisfying.
The supporting cast includes Ramy Youssef as Max McCandles, Dr. Baxter’s assistant who falls in love with Bella, and Jerrod Carmichael as a cynical philosopher. Each actor adds depth to the strange world of the film.
Themes and Messages
Poor Things is not just a weird story—it has important messages. The main theme is freedom, especially for women. Bella starts as a experiment controlled by men. Dr. Baxter, Duncan, and others try to dictate her life. But as she learns, she rebels. She refuses to let society define her. The movie criticizes how women are treated as objects or pets instead of equals.
Another theme is the idea of “monsters.” Dr. Baxter is called a monster because of his looks, but the real monsters are people like Duncan, who are selfish and cruel. The movie asks: What makes someone human? Is it their brain, their body, or their actions?
The film also explores curiosity. Bella’s childlike wonder leads her to explore everything—sex, politics, poverty, and philosophy. She doesn’t judge the world; she just wants to understand it. This makes her a unique and inspiring character.
Direction and Style
Yorgos Lanthimos has a very specific style. His movies feel like fairy tales but with dark humor. In Poor Things, he uses wide-angle lenses and bright colors to create a surreal world. The buildings are crooked, the skies are painted in pinks and purples, and the costumes are exaggerated. It feels like a dream or a nightmare.
The dialogue is sharp and funny. Characters say bizarre things with serious faces. For example, Dr. Baxter casually talks about replacing a dog’s brain with a chicken’s. The humor is weird but makes you laugh.
Poor Things movie is long (around 2 hours and 20 minutes), but it never feels boring. Each scene is packed with strange details. However, some viewers might find it too weird or slow. The pacing is deliberate, focusing on Bella’s emotional journey rather than action.
Cinematography and Music
The visuals are stunning. The movie uses a mix of real sets and CGI to create its world. The cities Bella visits—London, Lisbon, Paris—are twisted versions of reality. The colors are bright and bold, like a candy store. Even the dark scenes have a magical glow.
The music, by Jerskin Fendrix, is unusual. It uses clanging noises, high-pitched strings, and sudden silences. The soundtrack feels chaotic but matches the movie’s tone. It adds to the sense of unease and wonder.
Why Some People Might Not Like It
Poor Things is not for everyone. The humor is very dark and absurd. Some scenes are uncomfortable, like Bella’s awkward attempts at sex or Dr. Baxter’s graphic experiments. The movie also has nudity and violent moments.
The story’s feminist message is strong, but some might find it too obvious. Bella’s transformation from a passive doll to a strong woman is inspiring but predictable. However, the weirdness of the world and characters keeps it fresh.
Final Thoughts
Poor Things is a movie that stays in your mind. It’s funny, disturbing, and beautiful all at once. Emma Stone’s performance is unforgettable. The film’s message about freedom and equality is important, especially today.
If you like movies that are different from normal Hollywood stories, give this a try. It’s like reading a wild, poetic book come to life. You might leave the theater confused, but you’ll definitely have something to talk about.