Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos (The Lobster (2015); The Favourite (2018); The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)) and starring Emma Stone (The Favourite (2018); La La Land (2016); The Help (2011)), Willem Dafoe (Platoon (1986); Spider-Man (2002); Florida Project (2017)); Asteroid City (2023)), Mark Ruffalo (Spotlight (2015); Foxcatcher (2014); Shutter Island (2010); All the Light We Cannot See (tv series, 2023)) and Ramy Youssef (Wish (2023); Ramy (tv series, 2019-2022); See Dad Run (tv series (2012-2014)).
Drama; 141 mins; 16+
The story starts (and ends) in London with Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe), a disfigured, unorthodox scientist who we learn was experimented upon by his father. He fishes a dead body out of the River Thames and discovers that the woman was heavily pregnant. He brings her back to his laboratory and implants the baby's brain into the woman's body, bringing her back to life in the process. Without knowing who she is, he calls her Bella (Emma Stone, who also produces the film).
Bella learns to speak, to eat and even be toilet trained as her brain starts to function; she even calls him "God" for short. Soon he recruits one of his students, Max McCandles (Ramy Youssef), to follow Bella's progress and document everything she does. As she continues to develop she even has a sexual awakening. Dr. Baxter is concerned for her and tries to restrict her to the house, but she becomes inquisitive, yearning to learn more and explore her surroundings. He even has lawyer Duncan Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo) draw up a legal contract to keep her at the house under the care of Max.
But she runs off with Duncan who brings her on a journey of discovery, first to Libon, then by ship to Alexandria and back to London. During this time she continues to learn, grow, discover and find herself; however, her though processes are limited to the logical and pragmatic, leaving emotion aside.
A wonderful new, quirky and absurd take on the classic Frankenstein story, even this time with a female "monster", even unsettling at times by way of the scenes, the musical score and the way that fisheye lens were used for dramatic effect time and again. Wonderful, lavish costume design too.
The film makes us look at ourselves from another perspective as it explores class divides and the role of men in society. Certainly in the mix during the current awards season, with Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo and Willem Defoe all delivering scintillating performances.
Currently screening in Luxembourg at Kinepolis and CiNextDoor cinemas.
