Poor Things (2023)
Film · Science Fiction, Romance, Comedy
Stream itif you enjoy bold, visually spectacular filmmaking that balances dark humour with an uncompromisingly eccentric spirit.
A visually breathtaking and audaciously weird odyssey of self-discovery that uses high-concept sci-fi to explore personal liberation. While frequently hilarious and romantic, its massive scale, award-winning craft, and world-building make it a singular, maximalist cinematic experience.
What it is about
Brought back to life by an unorthodox scientist, a young woman runs off with a lawyer on a whirlwind adventure across the continents. Free from the prejudices of her times, she grows steadfast in her purpose to stand for equality and liberation.
Trailer
What Poor Things is like, and who it is for
What it is like to watch
Watching this film feels like being submerged in a lush, fever-dream version of the Victorian era. The pace is deliberate but energetic, driven by a sharp, staccato rhythm in both the dialogue and the physical performances. It is an intense sensory experience where the fisheye lenses, vibrant colour palettes, and surreal set designs are just as expressive as the characters themselves. The tone shifts seamlessly from clinical curiosity to slapstick comedy and philosophical enquiry.
Who it is for, and who should skip it
This is a must-watch for those who appreciate maximalist cinema and stories of radical personal growth. It will particularly resonate with fans of high-concept satire who don't mind a healthy dose of the grotesque. However, it is not for the faint-hearted or those who prefer traditional, grounded narratives. A significant caveat is its frequent and frank depiction of sexuality and anatomical oddities, which some may find abrasive or overly indulgent over the long runtime.
The right evening for it
It suits an evening when you want to be completely transported to another world and have your senses overwhelmed. It is best enjoyed when you have the mental space to engage with a long, challenging, and undeniably unique piece of art.
Written by our AI from the facts on this page. It has opinions; it has not watched it.
Another trailer
Trailer · Extended Look Trailer
How Poor Things leaves you
One line on the mood it ends on, with no plot. Some people count that as a spoiler, so it stays hidden until you ask.
You will likely feel exhilarated and slightly dazed by the sheer scale of the craft. It leaves a lingering sense of liberation mixed with a thoughtful, slightly cynical amusement at human nature.
How Poor Things ends
Spoilers. The whole ending, in a few lines. Nothing shows until you ask and then confirm.
The film ends with Bella returning to Godwin Baxter's home after escaping Alfie Blessington’s sadistic confinement. Having tricked Alfie into incapacitating himself, she and Max McCandles perform a surgical procedure to transplant a goat’s brain into Alfie’s head. Godwin dies peacefully in the presence of Bella and Max shortly thereafter.
Bella, Max, and Toinette begin a new life together at Godwin’s house in London. While the transformed Alfie is left to graze happily on the lawn, Bella’s search for her history and independence reaches a resolution. The ending establishes her future, leaving her finally free from the control of the men who sought to dominate her.
Summarised by our AI from the plot section of the Wikipedia article, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. This summary is shared under the same licence.
Stills
Images from TMDB.
If you like this, try
The City of Lost Children (1995)
the same dark, steampunk-inflected visual imagination and distorted fairy-tale atmosphere
Barbarella (1968)
a similarly episodic and stylised journey of sexual and social awakening in a fantastic world
Brazil (1985)
the eccentric world-building and satirical look at a rigid society through a surreal lens
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More clips
Trailer · Official Trailer
Teaser · Big News
Teaser · Alive
Poor Things soundtrack
Music by Jerskin Fendrix
Poor Things (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Jerskin Fendrix · 2023 · 22 tracks
Listen on Apple Music- 1Bella
- 2"Wee"
- 3Bella and Max
- 4"Mother of God"
- 5Victoria
- 6Reanimation
- 7Bella and Duncan
- 8"I Just Hope She's Alright"
- 9Lisbon
- 10O Quarto (Soundtrack Version) · Carminho
Album and songs from Apple Music.
Awards
Poor Things won Best Actress, Best Costume Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling and Best Production Design at the Oscars. It also won at the Golden Globes, the BAFTAs and Venice.
Oscars
- Won: Best Actress · 2024
- Won: Best Costume Design · 2024
- Won: Best Makeup and Hairstyling · 2024
- Won: Best Production Design · 2024
- Nominated: Best Picture · 2024
- Nominated: Best Director · Yorgos Lanthimos · 2024
- Nominated: Best Supporting Actor · Mark Ruffalo · 2024
- Nominated: Best Adapted Screenplay · Tony McNamara · 2024
- Nominated: Best Cinematography · 2024
- Nominated: Best Film Editing · 2024
- Nominated: Best Original Score · 2024
Golden Globes
- Won: Best Actress in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy) · 2023
- Won: Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy) · 2023
BAFTAs
- Won: Best Actress in a Leading Role · 2024
- Nominated: Best Film
Venice Film Festival
- Won: Golden Lion · 2023
2 other awards and nominationsShow
- Won: Amanda Award for Best Foreign Feature Film · 2024
- Won: FIPRESCI Grand Prix · 2024
From Wikidata, which can miss some.
Questions people ask
- Is Poor Things an epic film?
- Yes. On Watchlist Boosted it is tagged Epic, with a funny streak. A visually breathtaking and audaciously weird odyssey of self-discovery that uses high-concept sci-fi to explore personal liberation. While frequently hilarious and romantic, its massive scale, award-winning craft, and world-building make it a singular, maximalist cinematic experience.
- How long is Poor Things?
- Poor Things runs 141 min and was released in 2023.
- Where can I watch Poor Things in Canada?
- In Canada, Poor Things is included with Disney Plus, Crave, Crave Amazon Channel.
- Where can I watch Poor Things in Germany?
- In Germany, Poor Things is included with Prime Video (all plans), Disney Plus.
- What awards did Poor Things win?
- Poor Things won Best Actress, Best Costume Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling and Best Production Design at the Oscars. It also won at the Golden Globes, the BAFTAs and Venice.
- Who composed the music for Poor Things?
- The music for Poor Things is by Jerskin Fendrix. The soundtrack album, Poor Things (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), has 22 tracks.
- What songs are on the Poor Things soundtrack?
- Poor Things (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) has 22 tracks, including “Bella”, “"Wee"”, “Bella and Max”, “"Mother of God"” and “Victoria”, and more. It is on Apple Music.
- Is Poor Things worth watching?
- Stream it: if you enjoy bold, visually spectacular filmmaking that balances dark humour with an uncompromisingly eccentric spirit. IMDb users rate it 7.7 out of 10 from 424,704 votes, Rotten Tomatoes gives it 92%, Metacritic 88 and TMDB users 7.6.
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