We buy ourselves, or others, flowers as a light pick-me-up. Their presence tends to boost a recipient’s mood. But what if they could literally cure depression? That’s the scientific breakthrough at the center of the new upcoming indie “Little Joe.” We previously, and favorably, reviewed the film, as part of our Cannes Festival coverage. But “Little Joe” is now making its way to the U.S. The film drops in select theaters and On Demand on Friday, December 6.
The trailer shows plant breeder Alice (Emily Beecham) and her colleague Chris (Ben Whishaw) at the center of the aforementioned scientific breakthrough. At first glance, this story appears to be a commentary on the effects that a massive discovery like that would have on humanity. But Austrian director Jessica Hausner, in her English-language film debut, slowly builds a sense of dread. This clearly is not your average flower. We might be headed towards a “Little Shop of Horrors” flower situation here.
Here’s the official synopsis for “Little Joe:”
Alice (Emily Beecham) is a single mother and dedicated senior plant breeder at a corporation engaged in developing new species. With the help of her colleague Chris (Ben Whishaw), Alice has engineered a special crimson flower, remarkable not only for its beauty but also for its therapeutic value: if kept at the ideal temperature, fed properly and spoken to regularly, this plant makes its owner happy. Against company policy, Alice takes a plant home as a gift for her teenage son, Joe. They christen it “Little Joe.” But as their plant grows, so too does Alice’s suspicion that her new creation may not be as harmless as its nickname suggests.
Check out the new trailer for “Little Joe” below. It’s bound to have you choose candy over flowers the next time you are looking for a quick gift for someone.