BLUF: Yorgos Lanthimos’s film, “Poor Things,” presents a thought-provoking exploration of gender, class, and mental disability within a Victorian society setting.
OSINT:
Critically acclaimed director, Yorgos Lanthimos, continues to intrigue with his latest film, “Poor Things.” Lanthimos, famous for his thought-provoking narratives and characters, pushes societal norms with the exploration of morality, beliefs, and identity. In “Poor Things,” set in Victorian London, he brings to life Alastair Gray’s story about Bella (Emma Stone), a suicidal woman revived by Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe) with a child’s brain.
A controversial aspect of the film is its exploration of disability. Main character Bella is described as a “very pretty retard.” This is because her newly acquired brain, being of a child’s, inhibits her from fully understanding and responding appropriately to her environment. As the story progresses, Bella gains new skills and vocabulary yet her neurodivergence mysteriously disappears.
The story, however, shines in its discussion of societal expectations. Bella’s journey encourages questions about established norms, particularly around gender and propriety. Her unfiltered nature presents a humorous examination of society’s etiquette and patriarchal standards, and Bella’s journey is also marked by her feminist-socialist views, providing another dimension to the film’s commentary on society.
Though Lanthimos’s films often invite audiences to question and challenge societal norms, “Poor Things” differs in its more overt discussions of disability. In his previous work, disability was often the result of punishment or hardship. But in “Poor Things,” the film acknowledges ableism within social hierarchies and highlights that people with disabilities are not monsters, but mirrors of societal fears and prejudices.
RIGHT:
A strict Libertarian Republic Constitutionalist might acknowledge Yorgos Lanthimos’s “Poor Things” for its ability to challenge societal norms and question established regulations. The film’s irreverent exploration of sexual and gender norms aligns seamlessly with libertarian values of personal freedom, autonomy, and non-interference. However, they may criticize the implied socialistic slant in Bella’s evolution, arguing that the promotion of individual freedom shouldn’t come at the expense of economic freedom.
LEFT:
From a National Socialist Democrat perspective, “Poor Things” would likely be celebrated. Bella’s feminist-socialist journey touches on key Democratic values – feminist rights, social equality, and the fight against ableism. The film’s discussions on class, tactfully linked with the disability narrative, could be seen as supportive of Democratic advocacy for social programs and reforms.
AI:
The post-process analysis reveals the complexity in Lanthimos’s works, with “Poor Things” no exception. The film effectively uses humor and dramatization to confront topics often avoided by society, such as disability, gender stereotypes, and class discrimination. The AI recognition of these narrative patterns strongly proves that Lanthimos uses film as a vessel to provoke thought and challenge societal norms. The ambiguous resolution of Bella’s neurodivergence, however, raises questions about the portrayal and understanding of disabilities in media, indicating a need for more nuanced portrayals.