Vacation. For some pure relaxation, for others an endless nightmare of BDSM submission fantasies and liters of champagne to execute their own clone. Sounds like an absurd nightmare? Well it is. After all, the latter scenario comes from Infinity Pool, the current film by Brandon Cronenberg (Possessor).
The cinematic horror sci-fi experiment was shown in Germany for the first time as part of the Berlinale since April 20, the film has also been shown in cinemas nationwide. We explain who shouldn’t miss the spectacle – and who is watching this 2 hour slide show from the worst vacation ever can give.
That’s what Infinity Pool is all about
James Foster (Alexander Skarsgård) is frustrated. After his debut novel, which was only moderately successful, the next work just doesn’t work out. The writer’s block also ensures that things don’t really work out in his marriage anymore. Foster’s wife, the wealthy publisher’s daughter Em (Cleopatra Coleman), who finances the couple’s life, hopes that a luxury vacation will bring them relief. Not only for the relationship dynamics, but also for her husband’s writer’s block.
Check out the second trailer for Infinity Pool here:
Infinity Pool – Trailer 2 (English) HD
At first this plan seems to be working. As the two in one Luxury resort on the (fictional) island of La Tolqa Meet the unlikely couple Gabi and Alban (played by Mia Goth and Jalil Lespert) and James is inspired for the first time. But then he runs over a resident during a trip together, which means the death penalty on La Tolqa.
To avoid this, there is an exception for rich tourists: they can cloned and simply transfer the consequences of their actions to a copy of themselves. A process that the couple’s new acquaintances seem to have gone through several times.
Increasingly disturbed, Em watches as her husband takes pleasure in making others suffer for him. But James is also in for a nasty surprise: his new friends have big plans for him.
The positive: Alexander Skarsgård and Mia Goth provide horror pictures that you will never forget
Unforgettable shots that are so visually special in their awfulness that you can’t decide whether you need trauma therapy afterwards or want to hang framed scenes in your bedroom. A surreal, very long sex scene that makes you feel as a spectator: to be part of an orgy on LSD in oneself. Above all, Infinity Pool convinces with its pictures and the incredible creativity with which director Brandon Cronenberg drives his characters from one disturbing situation to the next.
The fact that these pictures get under your skin is also due to the excellent main cast. Alexander Skarsgård, who manages to breathe tangible nuances into an ego pig that is repulsive at first step. Mia Goth, whose character Gabi is sometimes fragile, sometimes absolutely terrifying, should now receive an honorary award for reliably delivering the most fascinating performances in a horror film.
The negatives: Infinity pool has disappointingly little to say
Universal Pictures
Alexander Skarsgård and Mia Goth wear scary masks in the frenzy of violence
Nevertheless, the mixture of avant-garde horror, dystopian sci-fi elements and social criticism doesn’t manage to develop its full potential. Filmmaker Brandon Cronenberg jumps from one idea to the next, always looking for the next scene, which is optional shocks or becomes the perfect meme template through its absurdity.
It’s as if the son of cult director David Cronenberg has created a mood board to ask what could be the most morally despicable thing that bored super-rich people throw on vacations when they don’t have to fear the consequences.
The fact that people with too much money and without a moral compass are not only terrible but also dangerous is not an exciting realization for me, but the starting point of a story. What comes next? Not much more than bleeding nipples and Alexander Skarsgård, who slides over dirty floors in a BDSM dog outfit? A pity.
For whom the mixture of science fiction and body horror is still worthwhile
Alexander Skarsgård as a privileged, bored asshole can also currently be seen in Season 4 of Succession. If you want a clever satire on how the super-rich behave on vacation, look no further than the HBO series The White Lotus.
If it doesn’t bother you that social criticism and characterization of the characters are as flat as the pools of urine, champagne and blood through which the film slides for two hours, you should still give Infinity Pool a chance. The horror sci-fi nightmare disappointed me thoughbut also because I expected so much more.
You just want to watch 118 minutes of good actors living through increasingly unbearable scenarios that we haven’t necessarily seen in cinemas yet? Then Infinity Pool is your film.
More recommendations: The 20 best series starts in April
Do you need more fresh tips, but for home cinema? You can find the most exciting series that you can stream on Netflix, Prime Video, Sky, Disney+ and more in April here in the monthly preview:
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We have checked the long starting lists of the streaming services and present you the 20 big highlights of the month in the Moviepilot podcast stream trawl. Included are Amazon’s second most expensive series in the world, the acclaimed crime hit Poker Face, the return of Grey’s Anatomy and the final seasons of Succession and Barry on Sky.
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