Yorgos Lanthimos's Oscar-winning masterpiece Poor Things is a breath-taking, boundary-pushing triumph of modern cinema. Based on the brilliant 1992 novel by Alasdair Gray, this film is a visually stunning, deeply provocative exploration of identity, liberation, and human connection set against an exquisitely designed, steampunk-infused alternate Victorian London.
At the heart of the film is Bella Baxter, played by Emma Stone in a career-defining, tour-de-force performance. Reanimated by the eccentric, scarred scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe)—whom she affectionately calls "God"—Bella begins life with the brain of an unborn infant inhabiting the body of a grown woman. What follows is not just a gothic sci-fi tale, but a magnificent, hilarious, and fiercely feminist odyssey of self-discovery.
Lanthimos weaves a rich tapestry of literary inspiration into the film, drawing undeniable parallels to Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Yet, where the classic monster found tragedy in isolation, Bella finds agency, joy, and rapid intellectual evolution. As she escapes the confines of the laboratory with a debauched lawyer (a brilliantly comic Mark Ruffalo) to see the world, the film fearlessly tackles complex themes like women's subjugation, societal conditioning, and patriarchal structures. Free from the prejudices and polite constraints of Victorian society, Bella experiences the world with radical curiosity and absolute bodily autonomy.
Visually, Poor Things is a masterclass in imaginative worldbuilding. Filmed with fisheye lenses, vibrant colour palettes, and surreal, dreamlike backdrops, it feels like a fairy tale brought to life via an avant-garde lens. It is bold, intensely funny, uncompromisingly explicit, and deeply moving.
Ultimately, Poor Things is an unforgettable celebration of what it means to be truly alive and free. It stands as a monumental achievement in filmmaking that challenges social norms and celebrates the beautiful, messy mechanism of human creation. I absolutely loved this film from every aspect and would highly recommended you watch it.