Just a couple of weeks ago, the folks at Sundance were startled by Brandon Cronenberg’s “Infinity Pool.” Not only is it another mind-bending feature from one of the most experimental, somewhat mainstream filmmakers working today, but he surprised everyone with an NC-17 cut of the film. This is a different version than what was just released this past weekend in theaters, which carried a more typical R rating. Alas, if you watched the R-rated version and were hoping for something a bit… more, then you’re in luck. Probably.
According to a new interview with THR, Brandon Cronenberg said that NEON is planning on releasing the NC-17 version of “Infinity Pool” eventually. When or how that release will show up is still unknown.
“There is a plan for it,” teased Cronenberg. “I don’t know where we’ve landed with it, but I know there is something in the works.”
As for what will be included in the NC-17 version that isn’t in the R-rated cut that was released in theaters, most of it seems to be some of the more sexual scenes that were altered to achieve the theatrical release.
“Well, I wouldn’t say we shot a lot of stuff that isn’t in it. A surprising amount of stuff got through, to be honest,” he explained. “It’s not a fundamentally different film. There are a few changes. There’s a few interesting shots that are in the R version that are not in the unrated version. I wouldn’t say it’s as dramatically different as you might expect. I supervised both cuts.”
Cronenberg continued, “The ratings issue with NC-17 is generally specifically a US theatrical issue because of the way that ratings work here. In a lot of territories, there is no problem. I can’t see in the UK or in France there being any issues with ratings for this film. You make the film you want to make. You’re pragmatic about it, ‘cuz I want people to see it, I want people to see it in theaters, I want it to get the best release possible. You have to be pragmatic about it when you’re in film because there are so many weird forces shaping what you’re doing.”
Regardless, the filmmaker considers himself “lucky” that he was able to work on his “director’s cut” of the film before even thinking about making any sort of cuts for a theatrical release.
“Infinity Pool” stars Alexander Skarsgard and Mia Goth and tells the story of a series of truly fucked up events that happen while a couple is staying at an exotic resort. What starts as a nice, relaxing trip devolves into madness. The film is in theaters now.