It’s fair to say that Greek directorYorgos Lanthimosis one of the most interesting directors working today. With wide-ranging modern classics, includingThe LobsterandThe Favourite, Lanthimos has made a career out of turning the weirdest characters and circumstances into the most compelling. Now, reteaming withEmma Stone, he is back with yet another festival darling,Poor Things. Set in a steampunk Victorian city, the film tells the story of a young woman named Bella, brought to life by an unorthodox scientist. Taking inspiration fromMary Shelley’sFrankenstein, this film expands that story into something much more outrageous and compelling. Featuring a cast of prominent actors including Emma Stone,Willem Dafoe, andMark Ruffalo,Poor Thingsis set to become a major playerin this year’s awards race.
Poor Things
The incredible tale about the fantastical evolution of Bella Baxter, a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter.
Emma Stone as Bella Baxter
Emma Stone plays Bella Baxter, a young woman whose inanimate corpse is found and brought back to life by Dr. Godwin Baxter. Giving her the brain of an infant, Baxter raises her to be an inquisitive albeit unfiltered young woman who is eager to learn about the world. As unorthodox as they come, Bella’s curiosity about sex, moral taboos, and unwritten societal rules make her repulsive to some but endlessly desirable to others.
Stone first became famous through her supporting roles in 2000s comedies likeSuperbadandThe House Bunny. Since then, she has starred in several critically acclaimed films includingBirdmanandLa La Land, the latter of which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress. Shepreviously worked with Yorgos Lanthimos onThe Favouriteas Abigail Masham, an ambitious but morally dubious young woman. She is set to star in Lanthimos’ next feature,Kind of Kindness(previously titledAND). Currently, she is starring alongsideNathan Fielderin the Showtime series,The Curse.
Mark Ruffalo as Duncan Wedderburn
Mark Ruffalo plays Duncan Wedderburn, a foppish lawyer who becomes immediately enamored with Bella Baxter. With lots of money and few plans, he becomes the perfect guide to the outside world so Bella agrees to elope with him. Taking her on a madcap tour across continents, Duncan introduces her to the most outrageous and hedonistic corners of society.
Ruffalo first gained acclaim and stardom by starring in dramas likeYou Can Count on Meand comedies like13 Going on 30. He received his first Oscar nomination for the family comedy-drama,The Kids Are All Rightand has since been nominated for his roles inFoxcatcherandSpotlight. Most famousfor playing the Incredible Hulk in the Marvel Cinematic Universe,he also regularly stars in indie projects and is set towork withBong Joon-Hoon his upcoming filmMickey 17.
Willem Dafoe as Dr. Godwin Baxter
Willem Dafoe plays Dr. Godwin Baxter, an unorthodox scientist who brings Bella back to life after finding her unresponsive corpse. Slightly monstrous looking thanks to his surgeon father’s cruel but innovative experimental grafting surgeries on him, Dr. Godwin is not a mad man, but a kind of loving father figure to Bella. Channeling his rejection and isolation leads him to design a life without limits for his new creation.
Dafoe got his start in the 1980s in movies likePlatoonandMississippi Burning. He is most famous for his role as the Green Goblin inSam Raimi’sSpider-Man. Recently, he has starred in several critically acclaimed films includingThe Lighthouse,The Florida Project, andThe French Dispatch. Next year he will play a key role inTim Burton’s long-awaited sequelBeetlejuice 2, and will reunite with Lanthimos forKind of Kindnessas well as directorRobert EggersforNosferatu.
Ramy Youssef as Max McCandless
Ramy Youssefplays Max McCandless, a poverty-stricken but bright young doctor looking to make a name for himself. While studying under Dr. Godwin Baxter, the renowned surgeon decides to take him under his wing and set him up with his young creation, Bella, hoping they will marry.
Youssef is most famous for creating and starring in the Golden Globe-winning comedy-drama,Ramy, which follows a first-generation American Muslim and the challenges he faces in this politically and spiritually divided world. This year, Youssef also lent his voice to Disney’s musical fantasy film,Wish, alongsideAriana DeBose. His next project isthe animated comedy series#1 Happy Family USA, which will premiere on Prime Video next year.
Jerrod Carmichael as Harry Astley
Jerrod Carmichaelplays Harry Astley, an English gentleman whom Bella meets on her travels. Like most men Bella meets, he falls in love with her when she challenges his cynical and imperialist way of living. Primarily a comedian,
Carmichael previously created and starred in his own sitcom namedThe Jerrod Carmichael Show, alongsideLil Rel HoweryandTiffany Haddish.He recently starred in and directed the critically acclaimed black comedy,On the Count of Three.
Christopher Abbott as Alfie Blessington
Christopher Abbottplays Alfie Blessington, a military general who becomes an important player in Bella’s life in the third act. Offering new ideas and revelations, he offers Bella another chance to change and reflect.
Abbott first rose to prominence in 2012 when he played Marnie’s boyfriend, Charlie, on the hit HBO comedy-drama,Girls. Since then, he has garnered critical acclaim for his roles in several independent films includingIt Comes at NightandJames White. Next year, he will join Sony’s Spider-Man spin-off universeas the supervillain, The Foreigner, inKraven the Hunter.
Margaret Qualley as Felicity
Margaret Qualleyplays Felicity, the second creation of Dr. Godwin Baxter. In a bid to cure his longing for Bella, he creates Felicity as a replacement, but she, unfortunately, lacks Bella’s unique spirit.
Qualley gained critical acclaim in 2019 when she starred inQuentin Tarantino’sOnce Upon a Time in Hollywoodand got nominated for an Emmy for her role as Ann Reinking inFosse/Verdon. Since then, she has starred alongside her mother,Andie MacDowell,in the Netflix miniseries,Maid. She is also set to reunite with Lanthimos in the upcomingKind of Kindnessand will also star inEthan Coen’s solo feature,Drive-Away Dolls.
Kathryn Hunter as Madame Swiney
Kathryn Hunterplays Madame Swiney, a Parisian madame. After hiring Bella, she becomes one of the star clients for customers at her brothel.
Hunter is best known for portraying Arabella Figg in theHarry Potterfilm series. Recently,she starred as the Three WitchesinJoel Coen’s haunting adaptation,The Tragedy of Macbeth. In 2024, she will star inFrancis Ford Coppola’sMegalopolisalongsideAdam DriverandAubrey Plaza.
Suzy Bemba as Toinette
Suzy Bembaplays Toinette, a fellow sex worker and Socialist who becomes a loyal companion to Bella while working at the brothel.
Bemba currently stars in the seriesEverything is Welland is set to star inL’esprit CoubertinwithEmmanuelle BercotandBenjamin Voisin.
Hanna Schygulla as Martha Von Kurtzroc
Hanna Schygullaplays Martha Von Kurtzroc, an elderly libertine whom Bella meets aboard a ship.
A legend of New German Cinema, Schygulla starred in several classics by directorRainer Werner FassbinderlikeThe Marriage of Maria Braun. Recently, she starred inFrancois Ozon’sPeter Von Kant, a remake of her own film,The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant.
