If audiences are lucky, they’ll see not one but two Yorgos Lanthimos films on the big screen this year. And given the Greek director’s penchant for perplexing cinema, don’t be surprised if “Poor Things” makes a lot of Top 10 lists from critics at the end of the year (or tops those lists). Unfortunately, there’s no official word yet if “And,” Lanthimos’ other upcoming film, will drop this year, but “Poor Things” arrives in September, and now here’s its first teaser.
And while the teaser doesn’t give a lot plot-wise, it does showcase the film’s peculiar visual and mis-en-scene. “Poor Things” sees actress Emma Stone reunite with Lanthimo to adapt Alasdair Gray‘s 1992 novel of the same name, about a young woman who becomes a scientist’s protegé but soon wants to see the world beyond his locus of control.
Here’s an official synopsis for the film, courtesy of Searchlight Pictures:
From filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos and producer Emma Stone comes the incredible tale and fantastical evolution of Bella Baxter, a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter. Under Baxter’s protection, Bella is eager to learn. Hungry for the worldliness she is lacking, Bella runs off with Duncan Wedderburn, a slick and debauched lawyer, on a whirlwind adventure across the continents. Free from the prejudices of her times, Bella grows steadfast in her purpose to stand for equality and liberation.
Willem Dafoe and Mark Ruffalo star opposite Stone in “Poor Things.” The film also stars Ramy Youssef, Christopher Abbott, Jerrod Carmichael, Margaret Qualley, Suzy Bemba, Kathryn Hunter, and Wayne Brett.
Tony McNamara adapts Gray’s novel for Lanthimos.
With its September 8 release date, don’t be surprised if “Poor Things” gets a world premiere at the Venice Film Festival at the end of August. Lanthimos has had two films premiere on the Lido before: “The Favourite” in 2018, and “Alps” in 2011. Will “Poor Things” be the third? Stay tuned on that. In the mean time, watch the first trailer for the film below.