Adapted from a re-theming of Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein,” “Poor Things” focuses on Bella Baxter (Emma Stone), a young woman who has been resurrected by a scientist (Willem Dafoe) after her suicide. As Bella begins to discover the world, she embarks on a whirlwind adventure of self-discovery and sexual liberation.
I have spoken a lot about 2023 being a year of big swings when it comes to original storytelling in the medium of film. Well, no one swung bigger, bolder or more bizarre than Yorgos Lanthimos.
Delightfully twisted and unabashedly unusual, “Poor Things” is Lanthimos’s best work. Between its stylized cinematography, stunning surrealist sets, outlandish characters, lavish costumes and almost poetic screenplay, Bella’s coming-of-age journey is unforgettable. It is also hysterically funny, insanely raunchy, and unapologetically feminist.
With all that being said, it is safe to say “Poor Things” is not going to be for everyone. To be fair, even I found Bella’s saga in Paris and the final act a bit clunky. However, I was consistently fascinated.
Watching Bella’s hunger to experience the world and take control of her fate, body, and mind was so THRILLING. I love her metamorphosis (the good, the bad and the plain old cringeworthy) and who Bella becomes.
And to say Emma Stone is fearless in her performance as Bella is an understatement. She is off the rails in the best way rapidly, evolving from an innocent child throwing temper tantrums and plates to a liberated woman questing for knowledge.
Stone goes ALL IN on this role. It is a career best performance and makes her a strong frontrunner during this upcoming awards season. “Poor Things” also boasts strong supporting performances from a quirky Mark Ruffalo and the always fabulous, Willem Dafoe.
This year, Barbie has been everything. And you know what? So is Bella Baxter.
She’s our very sexually active “weird Barbie” and I’m happy she’s living her best life.
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