Director Yorgos Lanthimos is known for his brilliant use of bizarre and downright weird imagery; however, he knows how to blend these elements with success and brilliance. He builds resilience by pushing the envelope of his strange ideas as a director. He did so with The Lobster (2015), The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017 and my top favorite of his), and The Favourite (2018). In Poor Things he turns up the volume on the grotesque factor combining humor, daring, and genius. It is definitely one of his most sexualized films, but also one where the context is intended for those who want to experience a film that is different and not one’s normal romantic or sci-fi adventure. The plot line is filled with twists and scientific anomalies which lead to hysterical and invigorating outcomes.

Poor Things takes place in a historic setting introducing Dr. Godwin Baxter (played by Willem Dafoe), a professional of unorthodox practices. His studies focus on bringing people andvarious creatures back to life. The film quickly moves into eerie and daring territory. His assistant is Max McCandless (played by Ramy Youssef), and he oversees moderating the experiments of the doctor. Baxter’s most ambitious project is Bella Baxter (played by Emma Stone). Bella has been brought back to life with a brain that is very undeveloped and out of tune. This has left Bella in a state where she is always anxious to experience new things, yet has no filter or social awareness. Her brain and thought processes are so muddled that she keeps pursuing activities that would be considered acts of public indecency. Although she is eager to feel out her new life, she does not know how to hold it together. Being under the care of Baxter and McCandless, Bella finds herself angry that her existence seems uneventful. Suddenly, Bella meets a lawyer, Duncan Wedderburn (played by Mark Ruffalo). Bella falls instantly in love, and she runs away with him. Her undeveloped brain and state of mind are out of whack, but something inside of her is determined to feel connected to the world and find a sense of fairness. Bella’s struggle is that her brain is so sexualized thather behaviors remain highly inappropriate.

Stone’s performance is gutsy in her portrayal of a woman with such eager sexuality. Under the direction of Lanthimos, she depicts a creature whose sense of desired connection has become confused with satisfaction. It is a film where there areno limits. Also, Dafoe’s performance is fierce as Baxter, whoseego and fanaticism blind him to the reality that his procedures have failed. He is unrelenting in his efforts to get Bella back. Dafoe is a master of his craft despite the strange calling of his character. As for Ruffalo, he is playing an attorney who is taking a risk. One with a girl whose brain is undeveloped. The characterizations surrounding Poor Things are like those of Young Frankenstein on steroids.

Lanthimos often plays with the theme of matters getting out of control, and the consequences having to be dealt with. In this story, it is a situation of finding the right direction for Bella.With the film being two hours and twenty-one minutes long, heincorporates all kinds of scenarios to take her on a journey that explores what happens when desires are allowed to manifest themselves without restriction. The film begins in moments of black and white and then transitions to color. The direction of Lanthimos takes a serious approach like a dark novel, but then transitions to brilliant cinematography with an undertone of darkness. The performance of Stone craves for sex, love, experiences, and seeing the real-world. It is one wanting connection, but in the context of behaviors that are immoral. It does go intentionally overboard in some moments, forcing the viewer to question one’s own desires and constraints. That element is the genius of this film. Three-and-a-half out of four stars for Poor Things.