The story of human creation has fascinated writers and filmmakers ever since Frankenstein redefined the boundaries of science, morality, and identity. Yet few modern films reinterpret that tradition as imaginatively as Poor Things, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and adapted from Alasdair Gray’s 1992 novel Poor Things. Set in an alternate-history version of the Victorian era, the film follows Bella Baxter, a young woman resurrected by the eccentric surgeon Dr Godwin Baxter after a tragic death. As Bella rapidly develops intellectually and emotionally, she embarks on a journey across Europe that becomes less a tale of scientific experimentation than one of self-discovery, freedom, and resistance against the social conventions imposed upon women. Beneath its fantastical premise lies a provocative examination of autonomy, desire, and the politics of identity.

Poor Things is an audacious blend of science fiction, dark comedy, and philosophical satire. Emma Stone delivers a fearless, career-defining performance as Bella, portraying her evolution from childlike curiosity to intellectual independence with remarkable nuance. Willem Dafoe brings warmth and eccentricity to Dr Baxter, while Mark Ruffalo’s flamboyant performance as Duncan Wedderburn injects humour and exposes the absurdities of masculine entitlement. Lanthimos complements these performances with striking visual craftsmanship: Robbie Ryan’s wide-angle cinematography, Holly Waddington’s Academy Award-winning costumes, and the film’s dreamlike production design create a world that is both unsettling and enchanting. Jerskin Fendrix’s unconventional score heightens the surreal atmosphere, while the screenplay balances absurdity with profound reflections on knowledge, sexuality, and human freedom. Although its explicit content and unconventional style may not appeal to every viewer, the film never loses sight of its emotional and intellectual core.

Poor Things is a must-watch not only for its extraordinary cinematic imagination but also for the questions it raises about agency, gender, and the construction of social norms. Rather than offering straightforward answers, it invites viewers to reconsider how innocence, experience, and power shape individual lives. Its blend of visual inventiveness, philosophical depth, and compelling performances makes it one of the most distinctive films of recent years. For audiences interested in cinema that challenges convention while remaining emotionally engaging, Poor Things is an unforgettable exploration of what it truly means to becomehuman.