Poor Creatures: the new film by Yórgos Lánthimos leaves you perplexed, here are the reasons

“Poor Creatures”: the controversial masterpiece by Yórgos Lánthimos

Greek filmmaker Yórgos Lánthimos continues to shake up the film industry with his unique mark. From “Canine” in 2009, his talent was recognized with an award at Un certain regard, and he continued his momentum with “The Lobster”, recipient of the Jury Prize at Cannes in 2015. Joining his forces again with Emma Stone continued Following their collaborations on “La Favorite” and “Bleat”, Lánthimos returns to the forefront with “Pauvres Créatures”, screened on January 17 and unanimously acclaimed at renowned festivals.

The film is notable for its star-studded cast, including Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo and Willem Dafoe. Stone, as an actress and producer, was crowned with a Golden Globe for her performance while Lánthimos won the illustrious Golden Lion in Venice in 2023. Despite these honors, “Poor Creatures” does not leave the indifferent spectators due to its formal and enigmatic nature.

A modernized and feminizing Frankenstein

A contemporary metamorphosis of the world of “Frankenstein”, the film is a free interpretation of the work of Alasdair Gray published in 1992 by Métailié editions. Dr. Godwin Baxter, played by Willem Dafoe, is portrayed as an eccentric scientist, who brings Bella, played by Emma Stone, back to life with the aim of training her. However, his “monstress” escapes with a rogue lawyer and sets off on a libertine journey across continents. The legacy of Mary Shelley, who wrote “Frankenstein” in 1818, lives on through this story where the monster is transformed into a female figure who is both angelic and mortal.

A tribute to classic film genres

The feature film is intended to be a political reflection, anchored in the #MeToo movement, although it was conceived well before the revelation of the Weinstein affair in 2016. With editing lasting seven years, Lánthimos shapes a story that evokes classic tales of the strange and horror.

In a broad and visually innovative cinematic style, the film joyfully mixes black and white, colors, and various shooting formats to create a surreal atmosphere. It juggles genres, from musical to horror, including thriller, sprinkled with stylistic effects which earned the film nominations in several technical categories at the Oscars.

If “Poor Creatures” delights the public with its excessive character and its narrative complexity, it can also be confusing. In a laudatory review, it is compared to the flamboyant works of Ken Russell, pushing the boundaries of cinematographic eccentricity with a very “arty” and “dandy” touch.

Synopsis of the film “Poor Creatures”

Gender : Fantastic

Director: Yorgos Lanthimos

Actors: Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe, Ramy Youssef, Christopher Abbott, Suzy Bemba, Jerrod Carmichael

Country : United States/Ireland/Great Britain

Duration : 2h21

Exit : January 17, 2024

Distributer : The Walt Disney Company France

Warning : Certain elements may offend spectators.

Synopsis: Bella is a young woman who, thanks to Dr. Godwin Baxter, finds life again. Filled with insatiable curiosity, she aspires to discover the world. Fleeing with Duncan Wedderburn, a cunning and dissolute lawyer, she embarks on an exciting journey across continents, overturning social conventions and resolutely reclaiming her autonomy.