Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
What happens when you can live without consequences? Struggling Novelist James (Alexander SkarsgĂ„rd) is about to find out. Searching for inspiration for his second novel, James and his wife Em (Cleopatra Coleman) take a vacation at an all-inclusive resort on the fictional island of La Tolqa. Soon, James meets the seductive Gabi (Mia Goth) who showers him with compliments about his first book. When Gabi invites the couple to join her and her husband for a beach day off the resort, James accepts. But on the drive back, James hits and kills a pedestrian. He quickly learns that the punishment for any crime is death. However, those who have the money can pay to have a clone of themselves made â and watch themselves die instead.
Writer-Director Brandon Cronenbergâs third Feature is an intoxicating ride into depravity. Just like in his previous films, thereâs lots of violence and Body Horror wrapped into a story of humanity. Cronenberg questions the accountability of his wealthy, immoral characters in a world where they can buy a life without it. And heâs picked the perfect setting to tell this story. Thereâs a world of its own inside this all-inclusive resort. Disconnected from the poverty-stricken country outside its barbed-wire fence. Cronenberg utilizes this, exploring the dichotomy between rich and poor. The rich tourists live consequence-free, while the poor citizens cannot.
Just like an infinity pool merges into the ocean, Cronenbergâs imagery merges his characters and the environment. His camera work is mind-bending and hallucinatory â even when the characters arenât taking drugs. The visuals take us along with James when he descends into madness and learns what heâs capable of, scenes SkarsgĂ„rd relishes in. Although this is a Sci-Fi Horror, Cronenberg keeps everything current and realistic. When we get into the futuristic aspect of the Film, the cloning process, we arenât brought to a high-tech facility. The cloning factory is inside a rustic, concrete building, kind of resembling an old power plant.
Infinity Pool plays with our emotions throughout its wild ride. It forces the viewer to question what they would do if they could live without consequences. We are unsettled and destabilized by the descent into depravity, as is the intent. But we never want to leave because of Cronenbergâs assured direction and the fully committed performances from SkarsgĂ„rd and Goth. Cronenbergâs written two leads, James and Gabi, with an âinfiniteâ number of layers.
James isnât a character we typically see as a leading man. He lives off of Emâs family money, is repeatedly humiliated and is literally called weak. Heâs also obedient and a follower to the enticing Gabi. Itâs a role different from oneâs weâve seen SkarsgĂ„rd play before. Thus, showing SkarsgĂ„rdâs vast range as he turns in another gripping performance. Then thereâs the enigmatic Gabi. Every time the audience thinks theyâve figured her out, she shocks us. Goth gives an astounding, controlled performance. She plays a sultry Gabi in the beginning. And layer, by mesmerizing layer, she becomes unhinged leaving us terrified and even more intrigued.
Elevation Pictures release INFINITY POOL in theatres Friday, January 27, 2023.
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