Poor Things, the latest offering from Yorgos Lanthimos, is a disturbing and eerie horror/sci-fi spectacle that defies narrative expectations and unleashes organized chaos on the screen. Lanthimos, known for films likeThe LobsterandThe Killing of a Sacred Deer, consistently provokes unease and challenges narrative conventions.
In this macabre tale, Emma Stone takes center stage as Bella Baxter. Alongside her is the haunting presence of Willem Dafoe, portraying the mad doctor Godwin Baxter who brings her back to life. Departing from his usual practice of crafting original screenplays, Lanthimos breathes cinematic life into Alasdair Gray’s eponymous book, enveloping the story in his unique vision. Collaborating once again with Tony McNamara, the co-writer of Lanthimos' Academy Award-nominated filmThe Favourite, they adaptPoorThingsinto a screenplay.
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What is Poor Things About?
In the vein ofFrankenstein,Poor Thingsbreathes new life into the twisted tale of Bella Baxter, a young woman revived from death’s clutches by the brilliant yet deranged Dr. Godwin Baxter. However, Bella’s revival comes with a peculiar twist—a childlike brain implanted within her skull. Plagued by confusion, she grapples with her identity and the perplexing world around her. Guided by Dr. Godwin, she embarks on a perilous journey to regain her lost knowledge of life’s intricacies. Yet, an insidious feeling of entrapment consumes her, compelling Bella to escape alongside Duncan Wedderburn, a shady lawyer. Together, they traverse a realm beyond our own, where Bella confronts the various shapes and prejudices of their time. In this odyssey of self-discovery, she yearns for answers that could set her free.
The novel presents a patchwork of accounts and texts from complex narrators, creating a mosaic of conflicting perspectives. Alasdair Gray, the writer himself, disguises himself as an editor of these disparate voices.As the novel transitions to film, the adaptation must grapple with the intricate web of these narrators.
Exploring the Literary Connection
In the realm of literary reimaginings, few tales have endured likeMary Shelley’s immortal classic,Frankenstein. A Gothic horror masterpiece, Shelley’s work has left an indelible mark on literature, forever etching the names of Victor Frankenstein and his monstrous creation into history. However, another author emerged, ready to challenge Shelley’s legacy with his own tale. Alasdair Gray’sPoor Thingsstands as a bold and audacious response to the enduring power of Shelley’s story
While Shelley’sFrankensteindelves into the consequences ofman’s reckless pursuit of scientific progress, Gray’sPoor Thingstakes a divergent path. It infuses the story with dark humor, social commentary, and fantastical elements. Bella Baxter, a creature revived with an infant’s brain, embarks on a surreal journey of self-discovery, grappling with questions of identity and freedom. Through Gray’s lens, the story expands beyond the original tale, exploring themes of social inequality, feminism, and memory, while weaving historical events into the narrative.
Both Shelley and Gray possess a fascination with the boundaries of human existence. However, while Shelley’s prose is steeped in dark romanticism, Gray’s writing assumes a distinctly Scottish voice, brimming with wit, satire, and a touch of absurdity. His narrative structure, presented through unreliable narrators, challenges readers to question the veracity of the accounts and embrace the disorienting nature of reality. Gray’s playful manipulation of form and perspective adds an extra layer of intrigue, inviting readers into a labyrinth of contradictory voices and fragmented truths.
Frankenstein’s Creature vs. Bella Baxter
The creature inFrankensteinand Bella inPoor Thingsshare a common fate—they areproducts of scientific experimentation. Driven by an insatiable desire for knowledge, Victor Frankenstein creates a being from mismatched body parts, only to recoil in horror at his own creation. The creature, despite his physical deformities, yearns for acceptance and understanding but is shunned and feared by society.
Bella, on the other hand, is a unique amalgamation of an infant’s brain and a revived body, existing in a perpetual state of disorientation. Her journey toward self-discovery is plagued by confusion and a lack of identity as she grapples with limitations and societal expectations. Both characters, in their own ways, embody the struggles of individuals deemed “monstrous” or outside the norms of society.
While the creature’s story inFrankensteinrevolves around his quest for connection and revenge, Bella’s narrative inPoor Thingstakes a different trajectory. Guided by Dr. Godwin and embarking on an otherworldly adventure with the shady lawyer Duncan Wedderburn, Bella seeks liberation from her perceived entrapment. Her escapades across a landscape shaped by prejudice and inequality serve as a vessel for self-discovery and the pursuit of personal freedom.
Despite their different journeys, both characters evoke sympathy and provoke contemplation. Their experiences compel readers and viewers to question the nature of humanity, the ethics of scientific exploration, and the boundaries of empathy. By challenging traditional notions of beauty, normalcy, and acceptance, the creature and Bella force us to confront our biases and preconceptions.
A Modern Retelling
In the ever-evolving landscape of literature and film, reimagining classic stories takes on new significance. Mary Shelley’sFrankensteinand Alasdair Gray’sPoor Thingsare enduring works that continue to captivate audiences, inviting reinterpretation and adaptation for the modern age. Yorgos Lanthimos, with his distinct directorial style and penchant for pushing boundaries, has the opportunity to infusePoor Thingswith his own unsettling humor and unorthodox storytelling.
Through the power of cinema, he cancraft a modern retellingthat challenges societal norms, preconceived notions, and delves into the depths of the human experience. AsPoor Thingsventures into uncharted territory, it promises to carve its unique place within the pantheon of cinematic creations, solidifying its status as a thought-provoking and mesmerizing work of art.
Poor Thingsis set to be released in theaters on September 8.
