“Poor Things”: An Oscar-Winning Film (2023): Hollywood Movie, Cast, Plot, Review, Release Date & More

Poor Things is a comedy-drama written by Tony McNamara and directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. It is an adaptation of Alasdair Gray’s novel of the same name. Bella (Emma Stone), an attractive young woman, is brought back to life by a mad scientist in the movie. But she is retrieved with the fetal brain and male genitals. Bella sets out to find herself along with a lawyer, Mr. McCandless (Willem Dafoe).

All the basic information related to Poor Things (2023) is mentioned in this table, which is as follows:

Title	Poor Things
Content-Type	Movie
Language	English
Genres	Comedy
Director	Yorgos Lanthimos
Producer	Ed Guiney Andrew Lowe Yorgos Lanthimos Emma Stone
Running Time	142 Min.
IMDb Ratings	8.2/10
Production Company	Film4 Element Pictures TSG Entertainment
Notable Cast	Emma Stone Mark Ruffalo Willem Dafoe Ramy Youssef Christopher Abbott Jerrod Carmichael

Poor Things Synopsis:

The film revolves around Bella Baxter, a girl who is revived from the dead by an odd scientist after killing herself. But the scientist’s unconventional technique involves transferring into Bella the brain of a woman who had recently drowned. This results in a unique situation where Bella has two distinct personalities: her own and that of the woman who drowned.

Bella then breaks free from the scientist’s grasp and goes on a crazy journey with an inappropriate lawyer, finding herself among strange characters and situations. While on her journey, Bella wrestles with her double identity, discovers independence, and confronts the prevalent values of society.

Poor Things: Hail of Dark Comedy, Science Fiction, and Feminist Rage

Yorgos Lanthimos’s latest film, “Poor Things,” is a genre-defying piece of work. It is a Gothic romp through Victorian England with an injection of steampunk; it’s a Frankenstein-inspired tale at its core where science knows no bounds and the consequences are unpredictable; above all, disguised as bawdy fun, it is also subverting stereotypical gender roles. But beware, because “Poor Things” is a roller coaster of an adventure.

Bella Baxter: Emma Stone sparkles in the role of Bella Baxter, a young woman brought back to life by an insane physician (played with a wild lack of restraint by Mark Ruffalo) who had died after drowning. But Bella’s resurrection comes with a twist: She is given the brain of a fetus and a man’s genitalia. It paves the way for a funny and touching investigation of identity, gender, and even what life means.

Laughing Moments: Lanthimos’s dry wit is out in full force; we have absurd situations delivered with the utmost seriousness. The film is littered with laugh-out-loud moments, which are the misfortunes of its characters. However, among the ridiculousness, there is an underlying warmth in Bella’s story. Stone infuses her with a childlike wonder and fortitude that renders it impossible not to cheer on.

Willem Dafoe: Willem Dafoe is as impressive as Mr. McCandless, the lawyer who takes Bella into their care. This relationship is funny and painful as McCandless struggles with his prejudices and desires when trying to protect Bella from a world that wants nothing but her.

Stunning Visuals: Its visual style is brilliant, featuring bright colors and a steampunk design that makes Victorian England look like it can be in the fantasy world. The costumes are particularly over-the-top, especially Bella’s wardrobe, which shifts according to her changing identity.

Poor Things Release Date:

Poor Things premiered at the 2023 Venice International Film Festival on September 1, 2023, winning the Golden Lion. The film premiered on December 8, 2023, in the United States. Similarly, it was released in Ireland and the United Kingdom on January 12, 2024.

Poor Things (2023) IMDb Rating:

The movie, “Poor Things,” has received 8.2 IMDb rating points.

Poor Things (2023) Review:

“Poor Things,” however, is a wildly original and thought-provoking film that will no doubt polarize audiences. If you are in the mood for something out of the norm, a film that will affect your perceptions and cause some thought, this is one to see. Prepare yourself for a roller coaster ride.

Here are some of the film’s strengths:

• Emma Stone’s phenomenal performance: Bella is played by Stone with humour and sensitivity.
• The darkly comic script: But it has Lanthimos’ trademark humor in full effect and there are plenty of chuckles to be had.
• The stunning visuals: The colorful, steampunk aesthetics of the movie is a real visual pleasure.
• The thought-provoking themes: “Poor Things” is a movie that creates doubts concerning identity, gender and very nature of life.

However, the film also has some weaknesses:

• The violence and sexual content: The movie may at times be quite gruesome for some people.
• The dark humor: The humor is frequently absurd and sinister, which can be off-putting to some viewers.
• The pacing: However, the film can sometimes be a bit dragging, especially in its middle portion.

Recommendation:

Not everybody will enjoy “poor things.”. It is a movie that delights in its strangeness; it doesn’t balk at causing disgust. Violence and sexual content can be quite explicit, while humor is often extremely dark and nonsensical. However, if you’re willing to deal with its oddity, then Poor Things is an enjoyable and stimulating read.

Unknown Facts about Poor Things (2023):

Here are some lesser-known facts and trivia about Poor Things:

• 1. A Novel Love Story: It is a movie made from the 1992 novel with the same title by Alasdair Grey, a Scottish author known for his surreal and satirical works. Interestingly, Gray first rejected the sale of film rights, but only after watching Lanthimos’s “Dogtooth” did he change his mind and was reportedly very impressed by the director’s ability to address dark humor and complex female characters.
• 2. A Steampunk Symphony: The movie’s setting is a sort of Victorian world full of futuristic steampunk technical features and historical accuracies. James Price, the production designer, drew inspiration from Leonardo da Vinci’s flying machines and the novels of Jules Verne, creating a visual world that appears both familiar to us and often strange.
• 3. A DIY Cruise Ship: What is more surprising is that the extravagant cruise ship used in that movie was only a miniature model 10 feet long. To simulate the feeling of a huge and lavish ship, filmmakers merged LED screens with smoke effects. The set designers went so far as to construct the deck and room with forced perspective techniques, making them appear bigger than life on camera.
• 4. A Hidden Tribute: Pay attention throughout the scene as Bella and Mr. McCandless go a scientific society meeting. You might spot a familiar face in the crowd: Tilda Swinton, a regular collaborator of Lanthimos’ is also seen in an unexpected cameo role.
• 5. A Director’s Dare: The actor Willem Dafoe, famous for his intense and sometimes unpredictable roles, was given a special challenge by Lanthimos. The director prompted him to perform as ‘the most boring man on earth’ in contrast with Dafoe’s usual acting personality.
• 6. A Stone’s Throw from Reality: Emma Stone as Bella Baxter is funny and touching. Stone, on her part reportedly researched the Victorian hysteria which was a medical practice used to tame and suppress women. This research played a role in helping her emphasize Bella’s vulnerability and fortitude amidst social prejudices.
• 7. A Deleted Song: Although there is an eerie score composed by The Radio Dept., the song that was to accompany Bella and Mr. McCandless had originally been contemplated. It was called The Ballad of Bella Baxter, and although it did not make the final cut, this song is a unique insight into their creative relationship and gives us an idea of how deeply intimate they had become.
• 8. A Lingering Legacy: Even though “Poor Things” is indeed a wild and unconventional movie, its representation of motifs such as identity, gender, and scientific ethics continues to inspire viewers. The film’s different genres, such as comedy, drama, and sci-fi, make it a timeless cult classic.

Poor Things (2023) Trailer:

The Poor Things (2023) movie trailer, which was released on the YouTube channel, is as follows:

FAQs:

1. Where can I stream Poor Things movie?

Ans: At this point, “Poor Things” has not come to mainstream streaming or digital sales. Nevertheless, it is likely to be aired on February channels.

• In theaters: Some screenings may be possible in certain theaters.
• On VOD: Most probably appearing on the likes of Amazon Prime Video, Vudu Apple TV+ Google Play.
• On Streaming Services: Probably later, on Hulu or Disney+ yet to be announced.
• On DVD/Blu-ray: Physical release due in future.

2. Did Poor Things receive any Oscar?

Ans: Yes, “Poor Things” was awarded with four Oscars at the 96th Academy Awards of 2024. The Best Actress was taken by Emma Stone. The movie also won Oscars in other categories, such as Best Production Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, and Best Costume Design.

3. Is it suitable for everyone?

Ans: Poor Things carries an R rating for strong sexual content, violence, and language. It has violent images and macabre humor, which isn’t appropriate for some audiences.

Read Also: Killers Of The Flower Moon