David Cronenberg is a world famous director known for his assorted filmography but we’re not here to talk about him. We’re here to talk about his son – Brandon Cronenberg, he made a film this year that has caught my attention. Cronenberg Jr. started his career some years ago but hasn’t really taken off yet. However, I think he struck gold with Infinity Pool. The film stars Alexander Skarsgård, Mia Goth, Cleopatra Coleman, Amanda Brugel, Thoman Kretschmann and Jalil Lespert. I’d heard about the film earlier this year but for some reason it didn’t release in India. After which I forgot about the film as the reviews weren’t great just so-so. However, I made a crazy discovery this week that the film is streaming on Jio Cinema. Of course I had to check it out since it is a horror film starring Mia Goth. Is it any good? Oh it is very good!
Infinity Pool Review: An Electric Horror Adventure!
HOC Rating – ★★★★
Just yesterday, I saw Talk to Me. The film was regarded as the scariest film of the year by some critics. Spoiler alert! It is not. The film is another overrated woke horror venture which tries to do elevated horror but fails miserably. After writing about my frustration over critics for praising an average film, I happened to come across one that does justice to elevated horror – Infinity Pool. It has a very simple premise where a writer – James goes on a vacation for inspiration and he meets some shady people there that lead to some strange discoveries.
However, it is so much more than just a vacation gone wrong. The film is a visual delight and has so much thematic undertones but doesn’t shove them up your throat. The sound design is well done where it creeps you out while bathing you into the weird world of the film. I don’t know what the critics saw in Talk to Me but for me Infinity Pool is much more original. It is almost like a character study as James is as fleshed out as one can be in a horror film. The way he was targeted, manipulated and converted was in line with the essence of his character which is what the entire film is about.
Infinity Pool Review: How To Make A Horror Film With A Rich Narrative!
I didn’t know much about the film which is why I think I enjoyed it so much. The eerie atmosphere created by the filmmaker keeps us hooked to the premise until the real action begins. After we’re teased enough for the first 20 minutes, Cronenberg’s weirdness kicks in. Set in the fictional town of the Li Tolqans the way a perfectly normal film turns into a dark sci-fi thriller is worth watching. While on the surface level, there is always a story, you get the sense of what Cronenberg is cooking, thematically.
The concept of the double is brilliant. It is a metaphor where humans are okay to sacrifice themselves as long as it absolves them off their crimes. However, this is shown within the context of the story where you interpret this and are not told so. I always believed that humans would go back to their primal selves if we don’t have to deal with the consequences to our actions. Cronenberg takes this theme and makes an excellent horror tale out of it. I first thought that the film will be about whether the surviving James is the real one or not?
But the point of the story is that it doesn’t matter. The double is exactly you, so what difference does it make? Seeing humans enjoying their own death was wild. This is shown through a brilliant scene in the film. I loved the way the film explores how money gets you out of everything. There was not even a single jump scare in the film but I was horrified to see a normal guy like James turn to the dark side. The coldest moment in the film was at the end when after everything is over, all the couples switch to their normal and mundane selves.
I mean after what I witnessed 2 hours of debauchery by these people, I couldn’t see them doing every day things. Westworld explored the concept of consequences just like Infinity Pool. The HBO series had a robot park, Cronenberg made a third world dependent on tourism. I loved the vivid sex scene which was visually thrilling. I don’t mean that in a dirty sense but how the hallucinations are treated by Cronenberg is superb. It arouses and horrifies you at the same time. You have no control over your thoughts and the most random things are seen.
I didn’t like the awkward close-up framing Cronenberg has chosen but apart from that Infinity Pool is a visual treat with innovative lighting set ups and camera movements. Another thing that I didn’t appreciate was the wokish turn the last 10 minutes of the film took. The rebirth and the breastfeeding scene felt a bit too outlandish but not enough for me to dislike it. I did get what the scenes meant but they just felt too literal not woven into the story like the rest of the elements in the movie.
I love how gore was used in the film. It is not used too much where you’re rendered numb at the sight of blood and flesh like in Evil Dead Rise. But the film also doesn’t shy away as when gore is used it is in abundance and in an effective manner unlike Knock at the Cabin. The creepy masks that add to the lure of the film were done right. They look demonic which matches the actions the people wearing them commit. I just wish Infinity Pool would’ve gotten the recognition Talk to Me is getting.
Infinity Pool Review: Outstanding Performances!
I mean this was a no-brainer. The film has Alexander Skarsgård and Mia Goth, of course the acting was going to be top notch. I strongly believe the Skarsgårds are a family full of talent, each member delivering their best every time. Do I even have to say anything about Mia Goth? She has been phenomenal in everything I have seen her until now. There is something about her face which is attractive and yet so creepy. The range she has shown is unbelievable. I mean not everyone can sell absolutely bat crap crazy characters.
The way she goes from a soft, sweet admirer to a rich-bitch psychopath was so believable because Goth makes you believe it. She is so seductive and enchanting, I can imagine she trapping me in any scary cult. I wish she breaks it into the mainstream circuit so that her immense talent gets some recognition. In my opinion, Goth should be one of the highest paying actresses in Hollywood because she is as good, if not better than them. I’m just going to say it, currently she is the best actress working in Hollywood.
Other than these two, the other actors do a good job for the part they’ve been given. However, it is really Goth and Skarsgård who sell this intensely weird film. If there were lesser actors involved than this would’ve become a mediocre affair. The car scene just before the climax of the film is my favorite. It shows the cynicism of Gabi and the hopelessness and worthlessness of James. I hope these actors continue to work in more amazing films like Infinity Pool. Marvel has reportedly cast Mia Goth as the Blade reboot‘s villain. I don’t know how to react to that as I don’t want Goth to join the MCU but that might give her the exposure to the mainstream media which she needs.
Verdict
Infinity Pool is an amazing horror film that truly scares you psychologically, as it doesn’t pretend to talk about deeper subjects in the name of elevated horror. There is a definite story which is full of elements that work well cohesively. We interpret the deeper subjects from the story. It might use familiar concepts but the way Cronenberg has stitched them together in one narrative really makes for a fresh watch. Despite some world building issues, the film is able to keep you hooked where you constantly get for more from it with each passing second. After watching the film, it has peeked my interest in Jr. Cronenberg’s filmography.
I’m definitely going to watch Possessor. Infinity Pool is one of the best films of the year and definitely the best horror film so far. I’ll rate it 4 out of 5 stars. If you were planning to watch Talk to Me, skip it. Stay home and watch Infinity Pool at your house. Psychological horror fans or in fact any cinephile would be thrilled to catch a viewing of this crazy, nightmare of a film that will definitely leave you with some uncomfortable thoughts, especially the last scene. It reveals the true character of James and tells us that his sins have been washed away as the rainy season is here. Visual metaphors that are interpreted not explained. Other filmmakers should learn something.
Infinity Pool is currently available to stream on Jio Cinema.
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