Poor Things (2023)
Poor Things is Yorgos Lanthimos’ absurdist fantasy starring Emma Stone as Bella Baxter, a woman brought back to life with the brain of her unborn child by a mad scientist (Willem Dafoe). She embarks on a whirlwind journey of self-discovery, sexuality, and philosophy.
Awards Success
Premiered at Venice September 1, 2023 (won Golden Lion), it grossed $117.6M worldwide and won 4 Oscars: Actress (Stone’s second), Production Design, Costume Design, and Makeup/Hairstyling. The film’s steampunk Victorian aesthetic and fish-eye lens cinematography are visually stunning.
Bella’s Evolution
Stone’s fearless performance—playing a woman with a child’s brain learning language, movement, sex, and autonomy—is both hilarious and profound. “Furious jumping!” (Bella’s sexual awakening) and her blunt observations (“I must go punch that baby”) became memes.
Feminist Frankenstein
The film subverts Frankenstein and Pygmalion tropes—Bella seizes agency over her body, sexuality, and future despite men trying to control her. It’s a sex-positive feminist fable wrapped in Lanthimos’ signature dark absurdity.
Cultural Impact
The costumes (Victorian meets futurism) influenced fashion. TikTok users quote Bella’s childlike observations. It’s Lanthimos’ most accessible yet weirdest film—proof that auteur cinema can be both bizarre and emotionally resonant.
Source: IMDb | Box Office Mojo