Poor Things is one of the standout films of 2024, which has become a resounding success worldwide and has garnered eleven Academy Award nominations, including one for Emma Stone (La La Land).
The drama follows the incredible story of the fantastical evolution of Bella Baxter, a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter, portrayed by Willem Dafoe (Spider-Man).
Yorgos Lanthimos (The Lobster) directed the movie, surpassing The Favourite as the director’s highest-grossing film ever. Tony McNamara (The Great) is the writer of the screenplay, based on the novel by Alasdair Gray.
13 Poor Things-style movies you must see
Sightseers
Sightseers is a British black comedy film directed by Ben Wheatley and written by Steve Oram and Alice Lowe, who also play the lead roles. It was released in 2012 and has been praised for its unique blend of black humor and violence, highlighting its bold and unconventional approach to the black comedy genre.
The plot follows Chris and Tina, a couple who decides to go on a road trip through northern England in a caravan. As they progress on their journey, the relationship between the characters becomes more complex, and a dark side emerges in their seemingly normal adventure.
What starts as a typical vacation turns into a series of violent and comedic events as Chris and Tina find themselves in unexpected and disturbing situations. The film explores themes of social alienation, frustration, and discontent in a unique blend of comedy and horror.
Available on Kanopy and Tubi.
Coraline
Coraline is an American stop-motion animated film directed by Henry Selick and based on the novel of the same name by Neil Gaiman. It was released in 2009 and is known for its unique visual style. Over time, it has established itself as a cult classic.
The plot follows Coraline Jones, a girl who moves with her parents to an old mansion divided into various apartments. Coraline discovers a secret door that leads to another world, an alternate version of her own reality where everything seems perfect. However, she soon realizes that this other world hides dark secrets, and her alter ego, the “Other Mother,” has sinister plans to keep her there.
The film has been praised for its visual creativity and its focus on a dark and mysterious story that captivates both children and adults. The stop-motion technique used for animation gives it a distinctive visual style, and Bruno Coulais’s soundtrack effectively complements the magical and eerie atmosphere of the story.
Available on Max.
The Lighthouse
The Lighthouse is a psychological horror film directed by Robert Eggers and released in 2019. The movie is set in the late 19th century on a remote island off the coast of New England, where two lighthouse keepers, played by Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson, are assigned to maintain and care for a lighthouse for a period of four weeks.
The plot follows the growing tension and paranoia between the two men as a storm traps them on the island. The film unfolds in a claustrophobic setting and focuses on the deteriorating relationship between the characters, exploring themes of loneliness, obsession, and madness.
The visual style of the film is distinctive, shot in black and white with a square aspect ratio, evoking the aesthetics of silent films and German expressionism. Additionally, the movie stands out for its use of archaic and poetic language in the dialogue, contributing to the unique and often disturbing atmosphere of the story.
Available on Kanopy and Tubi.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
The Nightmare Before Christmas” is a stop-motion animated film directed by Henry Selick and produced by Tim Burton. It was released in 1993 and has become an iconic movie with a cult following, especially during Halloween and Christmas. Although Burton did not direct the film, his creative style and original concept are key elements of the movie.
The plot follows Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, who grows tired of the annual routine of scaring during Halloween and discovers Christmas Town.
Fascinated by the joy and novelty of Christmas, Jack decides to bring the holiday to his own world, but his unique interpretation of the season leads to comedic and chaotic situations.
It is known for its distinctive stop-motion visual style, giving it a unique and charming look. The music, composed by Danny Elfman, has also contributed to the lasting appeal of the film, with memorable songs like “This Is Halloween” and “What’s This?”.
Availble on Disney+ and Hulu.
The Elephant Man
The Elephant Man was directed by David Lynch and released in 1980. It is based on the life of Joseph Merrick, a 19th-century British man with severe physical deformities, and addresses themes of compassion, discrimination, and human nature.
The plot follows the story of John Merrick (played by John Hurt), a disfigured man who becomes a sideshow attraction due to his deformities. Dr. Frederick Treves (played by Anthony Hopkins) discovers him and takes him to the London Hospital to treat his medical conditions. As Merrick becomes a public and social figure, he faces challenges related to acceptance and understanding.
The film is known for the way it explores Merrick’s humanity beyond his physical deformities, highlighting empathy and emotional connection with the audience. It is considered a standout work in David Lynch’s filmography and has endured as an appreciated film in the biographical drama genre.
Available on Paramount+, Fubo, Prime Video, CBS and MGM+.
Ex Machina
Ex Machina is a science fiction film directed by Alex Garland and released in 2014, which explores themes such as artificial intelligence, ethics in technology, and the nature of consciousness. It is known for its intrigue, thoughtful approach, and striking visual design.
The plot follows Caleb Smith (played by Domhnall Gleeson), a programmer at a technology company, who wins the opportunity to spend a week at the remote house of his enigmatic CEO, Nathan Bateman (played by Oscar Isaac).
Once there, Caleb discovers that he has been selected to participate in an experiment that will evaluate the artificial intelligence and consciousness of an advanced android named Ava (played by Alicia Vikander).
The drama delves into philosophical and ethical questions about the creation of conscious beings and the relationship between humans and machines. Tension and mystery escalate as Caleb investigates the true nature of Ava and the motives behind the experiment.
Available on Max, Prime Video and Kanopy.
Dogtooth
Dogtooth is a Greek film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and released in 2009. It is known for its distinctive cinematic style and provocative narrative. It falls within the contemporary Greek cinema and has received international acclaim for its originality and audacity.
The plot follows a family consisting of a father, a mother, and three teenage children who live in isolation on a closed property. The father keeps the children in total ignorance of the outside world, providing them with a highly controlled and distorted education. He teaches them a language of his own creation and creates an alternate reality that significantly differs from conventional reality.
The drama explores themes of control, manipulation, and the search for individual identity. As the story progresses, unusual family dynamics are revealed, and the nature of paternal authority is questioned. It was so successful that it was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and won the Un Certain Regard Award at the Cannes Film Festival.
Available on Kanopy and Hoopla.
Edward Scissorhands
Edward Scissorhands is a gothic fantasy film directed by Tim Burton and released in 1990. It is known for its unique visual style and narrative that combines elements of dark fairy tales with Burton’s characteristic sensibility. Not only has it been a worldwide success, but it has also become a cult classic.
The plot follows Edward (played by Johnny Depp), an artificial man created by an inventor who dies before completing his creation, leaving Edward with blades instead of hands.
Edward lives alone in a castle until he is discovered by Peg Boggs, an Avon saleswoman played by Dianne Wiest, who takes him to her suburban home. Although initially accepted in the community, Edward faces challenges due to his blades and his lack of experience in the outside world.
The drama explores themes of acceptance, difference, and the nature of beauty. Edward finds himself at a crossroads between his desire to be accepted and his unusual appearance that makes him unique. A love story also unfolds between Edward and Kim, played by Winona Ryder, the daughter of Peg Boggs.
Available on Paramount+, Max and Hulu.
Natural Born Killers
Natural Born Killers is a 1994 film directed by Oliver Stone, known for its distinctive visual style, unconventional narrative, and satirical treatment of the media and celebrity culture.
The plot follows Mickey and Mallory Knox (played by Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis), a couple who embark on a violent and bloody murder spree across the United States. Their violence becomes a media sensation, and the film criticizes the glorification of violence in society and how the media can distort reality.
Stone employs a variety of cinematic techniques, including abrupt changes in visual style, archival footage, and striking visual effects. The story is presented in a non-linear fashion, using various cinematic styles to reflect the media’s distorted interpretation of events.
The title has been the subject of controversy due to its graphic depiction of violence and its critique of the media. While some view it as a provocative satire, others have criticized it for its graphic approach and its impact on pop culture.
Available on Max.
Frankenstein
Frankenstein is a classic horror drama directed by James Whale and released in 1931, serving as a cinematic adaptation of the eponymous novel written by Mary Shelley in 1818. The film became a milestone in the horror genre and left an indelible mark on popular culture.
The plot follows Dr. Henry Frankenstein (played by Colin Clive), a scientist obsessed with the idea of creating life from parts of corpses. Using unconventional methods, Frankenstein succeeds in bringing to life a being created from parts of dead human bodies (iconically portrayed by Boris Karloff) and known as the Frankenstein Monster.
The film explores the ethical and moral consequences of unrestrained scientific creation and experimentation. As the Monster comes to life, the story delves into themes of rejection, compassion, and the search for identity.
Available on Classix.
