Poor Thingsis an upcoming surreal, sci-fi fantasy directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, written by Tony McNamara, and based on the 1992 novel of the same name by Alasdair Gray. The film starsEmma Stoneas Bella Baxter, a young woman whose been brought back to life by a “brilliant and unorthodox” (i.e. mad) scientist named Dr. Godwin Bacter (Willem Dafoe). Now, in a behind-the-scenes clip, Stone has offered some insight into her character’s warped situation (viaSearchlight Pictures):
“She is understanding what it is to be a member of society and the more autonomous she becomes, the more challenged the men seem to be by it.”
One of the men in Bella’s new life is Duncan Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo), a lawyer described as “slick and debauched.” We at MovieWeb would give you an i.e. for that, but it wouldn’t be very polite to say. Together, Bella and Duncan embark on a continent spanning adventure that sees Bella become devoted to her purpose to standing for equality and liberation. Along the way, she also discovers the joys of human sexuality. An element that Stone felt was crucial to the story presented inPoor Things:
“[Bella’s sexuality is] an incredibly important part of the story. The human experience is fascinating to her sex is a major part of that.”
RELATED:Poor Things Trailer Brings Emma Stone and Willem Dafoe Frankenstein Tale To Life
Poor Things Joins the Trend of Frankenstein-Inspired Movies
Poor Thingsis part of a resurgence ofFrankenstein-inspired movies that all seem to be happening at around the same time. This year,there’s already beenBirth/Rebirth, starring Marin Ireland and Judy Reyes, and in some point in the future,Lisa Frankenstein, starring Kathryn Newton and Cole Sprouse, is also going to be released. What’s notable about all three films is that, despite having wildly varying tones and styles, they are all women-centric. Another element that was important to Stone:
“I wanted to play Bella because it felt like acceptance of what it is to be a woman. To be free. To be scared and brave. "
Joining Stone, Dafoe, and Ruffalo in the cast are Ramy Youssef as Max KcCandles, Christopher Abbot as Alfie Blessington, Suzy Bemba as Toinette, Jerrod Carmichael as Harry Astley, Kathryn Hunter as Swiney, Vicki Pepperdine as Mrs. Prim, Margaret Qualley as Felicity, Hanna Schygulla as Martha Von Kurtzroc. In addition to her duties as an actor, Stone also served as a producer onPoor Things, alongside Lanthimos, who the actress praised:
“Yorgos has given me a gift by asking me to be a producer on this. I’ve gotten to be very privy to the whole process that I wouldn’t have if I were just acting in it. It just felt like the perfect combination.”
Poor Thingsis scheduled to be released on June 14, 2025. It was originally set to premiere on September 8,but was recently pushed backto its current release date due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike. Hopefully, by the time that December 8 does roll around, the strike will be over, filming on films and tv shows can resume, and actors can promote there projects again. If not, then it seems the makers ofPoor Thingsand other projects will just have to cross that bridge when they get there.
