From the weird and wonderful mind of Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos comes Poor Things. After the success of past films such as The Lobster and The Killing of a Sacred Deer, Lanthimos has established himself as one of Hollywood’s most original auteurs, and is known for his thought-provoking storylines. Lanthimos’ films have also received critical acclaim, with 2018’s The Favourite winning the Grand Jury Prize at the 75th Venice International Film Festival, and earning ten Academy Award nominations with Olivia Colman winning for Best Actress.
Lanthimos is known for his frequent collaborations with actors such as Colin Farrell, Rachel Weisz, Joe Alwyn and Emma Stone. Emma Stone takes the lead role in Poor Things as Bella Baxter, a young woman brought back by the scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter.
As Lanthimos and Stone gear up for the premiere of Poor Things, here’s what we know about the film so far. We'll cover:
- What is 'Poor Things' about?
- Is 'Poor Things' based on a true story?
- When will 'Poor Things' be released?
- Who is in the cast of 'Poor Things'?
- Who is the production team behind 'Poor Things'?
- Where 'Poor Things' was filmed
- Why 'Poor Things' is R-rated
- 'Poor Things' trailer
What is ‘Poor Things’ about?
Bella Baxter is brought back to life by the brilliant scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter, in this modern reimagining of Frankenstein. As she navigates her new life, Bella is desperate to learn about the world due to her mind functioning at the level of an infant. Despite Dr. Baxter’s attempts to guide and nurture Bella, she struggles to feel at home in this new life. Bella then meets lawyer Duncan Wedderburn, and the two run away together as Bella’s education continues.
The film explores themes of sexuality, feminism and human connection, through the lens of Bella who is relearning everything for the first time. Emma Stone said of the film “the idea that you could start anew as a woman, as this body that’s already formed, and see everything for the first time and try to understand the nature of sexuality, or power, or money or choice, the ability to make choices and live by your own rules and not society’s - I thought that was a really fascinating world to go into”.
Is ‘Poor Things’ based on a true story?
Poor Things is based on a novel of the same name by Alasdair Gray. The Scottish writer released the book in 1992, when it won both the Guardian Fiction Prize and the Whitbread Award. Gray’s novel is fictitious, with loose ties to Mary Shelley’s gothic novel Frankenstein.
The novel is written from the perspective of many unreliable and contradictory narrators, which makes for an extremely interesting springboard for the film adaptation.
When will Poor Things be released?
Poor Things will have its world premiere at the 80th Venice International Film Festival, where Lanthimos will return to compete after winning the Grand Jury Prize for The Favourite in 2018. The festival is running from August 30 - September 9, 2023.
The film was originally slated for theatrical release in September 2023, but due to the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, it will not be commercially available until January 12, 2024 in the United Kingdom. The film is scheduled for an earlier December 8, 2023 release in the US.
Who is in the cast of ‘Poor Things’?
Academy Award winner Emma Stone stars in Poor Things, playing as Bella Baxter, a girl who is brought back to life. This is the second time Stone and Lanthinos have worked together, after Stone playing Abigail Hill in The Favourite. The duo are also in production on another film, ‘AND’.
Acclaimed actor Willem Dafoe plays Dr. Godwin Baxter, the scientist and adoptive father who brings Bella back to life. Dafoe has previously won the Volpi Cup, for his role as Vincent Van Gogh in At Eternity’s Gate. The Volpi Cup is awarded for the Best Performance by an Actor at the Venice International Film Festival. Mark Ruffalo, whose previous work includes The Kids Are All Right and Spotlight, plays lawyer Duncan Wedderburn in the film. Ramy Youssef (Ramy) plays Max McCandless, with Jarod Carmichael (On the Count of Three) as Harry Astley, Margaret Qualley (Maid) as Felicity, Christopher Abbott (Sanctuary) as Sir Aubrey de la Pole Blessington and Kathryn Hunter (The Tragedy of Macbeth) as Swiney.
Who’s the production team behind ‘Poor Things’?
Yorgos Lanthimos is directing the period comedy, and with Australian writer Tony McNamara penning the screenplay. McNamara previously wrote The Favourite, as well as the Emma Stone-led Disney drama Cruella. He is also the creator of comedy series The Great, starring Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult. Lanthimos, Emma Stone, Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe, Ali Herting and Dave McCary serve as producers on the film. Lowe and Guiney are co-founders of Element Pictures, who have also produced Room and Normal People.
Greek editor Yorgos Mavropsaridis returns for Poor Things, having edited all of Lanthimos’ previous films. Robbie Ryan serves as director of photography on the film, after working with Lanthimos on The Favourite. Ryan has worked on a number of music videos, as well as collaborated with writer/director Noah Baumbach on The Meyerowitz Stories and Marriage Story. English musician Jerskin Fendrix will compose the score for Poor Things.
Where was Poor Things filmed?
Filming for the movie took place in Origo Studios in Hungary and on location in Glasgow, Scotland in 2021.
Why is ‘Poor Things’ rated R?
Poor Things has been rated R, due to its strong sexual content and graphic nudity. The film also includes disturbing material, gore and language.
Is there a trailer for ‘Poor Things’?
A teaser trailer was released in May 2023, and a full length trailer in June 2023. Both paint a very clear picture of the Victorian-era setting and the fabulously quirky style fans have come to expect from Yorgos Lanthimos.
Poor Things will be available to watch in UK cinemas on January 12, 2024.
