If we’ve learned anything from the films of Yorgos Lanthimos (The Lobster, The Killing of a Sacred Deer), it’s to always expect the unexpected. Lanthimos traffic in nightmare logic, unexpected bursts of violence, and moments of darkly funny slapstick, and each new film seems to find him growing as a filmmaker. His most recent feature, The Favourite, racked up nine Oscar nominations, and his latest – a Frankenstein riff by the name of Poor Things – looks like his most visually ambitious film yet. We are, of course, very excited to check it out later this year.
For now, however, we’re excited to be sharing the film’s first full trailer! But first, here’s an official plot synopsis:
“A young woman, Bella Baxter (Emma Stone), is brought back to life by scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe). Under Baxter’s protection, Bella is eager to learn. Wanting to see more of the world, Bella runs off with Duncan Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo), a slick and debauched lawyer, and travels across continents. Free from the prejudices of her times, Bella demands equality and liberation.”
Excellent. Now, let’s see what this looks like in action…
Yeah, this looks great. Everything here – from the sets and costumes to the casting and performances – looks like a freaky blast (just check out that makeup on Willem Dafoe!). That familiar Lanthimos energy is in every frame, and with an R-rating promising “pervasive sexual content, graphic nudity, disturbing material, gore, and language,” we’re expecting something even wilder than what’s being promised here.
So, when do we get to see it? Poor Things hits theaters on September 8th. We’re sure to be hearing a lot more about this one in between now and then, so do stay tuned for further updates and reveals over the next few months!
