Netflix subscribers will soon lose access to Yorgos Lanthimos' critically lauded sci-fi fantasy, Poor Things. The film, which has garnered significant critical acclaim and awards, including an Oscar for Emma Stone's performance, is set to depart the streaming platform on September 7th.
Poor Things offers a unique reimagining of the Frankenstein narrative, focusing on Bella Baxter, a young woman brought back to life by the unconventional scientist Godwin Baxter, played by Willem Dafoe. Unlike traditional interpretations where resurrection is a source of misery, this story explores the creature's joyful embrace of existence. Bella, portrayed by Stone, begins with the mental capacity of a child within an adult woman's body, allowing her to discover the world—its pleasures, pains, and complexities—with unadulterated curiosity.
. The film meticulously charts Bella's rapid development, from her initial physical and linguistic immaturity to her eventual self-actualization. Stone's performance is central to the film's success, organically portraying Bella's evolution without sacrificing the core character's innate spirit. Her journey is marked by an insatiable appetite for life, which leads her to explore new experiences, including a sexual awakening sparked by the rakish lawyer Duncan Wedderburn, portrayed by Mark Ruffalo.
Ruffalo's portrayal of Duncan Wedderburn adds significant comedic depth to the film. Initially believing he has control over Bella due to her naiveté, he instead unleashes a force of nature that quickly surpasses his understanding and control. The film playfully deconstructs the common trope of a man manipulating an innocent woman, instead showing Bella's untainted curiosity and her adult agency rendering her immune to such exploitation.
The visual landscape of Poor Things is as striking as its narrative. The production design creates a surreal, dreamlike world reminiscent of a steampunk snow globe, featuring cities with impossible horizons and meticulously crafted sets and costumes. This vibrant aesthetic, while visually stunning, serves to highlight the messy, dynamic, and often unpredictable nature of the characters within it.
Poor Things challenges societal norms by separating innocence from obedience and sexual experience from shame. Bella's journey, marked by moments that can appear selfish or even cruel due to her lack of empathy in early stages, ultimately underscores her complete independence and refusal to have her experiences dictated by others. The film concludes with Bella becoming a wholly new person, transcending her origins and societal expectations.
The departure of Poor Things from Netflix on September 7th marks the end of its availability on the platform, concluding a significant run for the visually distinctive and thematically rich film. It stands as a unique take on classic sci-fi horror and tragedy, transforming it into a triumphant exploration of a resurrected woman's ravenous pursuit of life.