by Diana Gebbia, Contributing Writer
A couple packs their bags and travels to a picturesque island with the hopes of enjoying a relaxing getaway. Sadly, there’s nothing they could have packed to protect them from the disturbing events they’re about to experience. The above is not a description of The White Lotus – it’s Brandon Cronenberg’s Infinity Pool, and it makes the HBO Max show look like a walk in the park.
Struggling author James Foster (Alexander Skarsgård ) and his wife Em (Cleopatra Coleman) are vacationing on the beautiful fictional island of La Tolqa, when another couple — Gabi (Mia Goth) and Alban (Jalil Lespert) — befriend them. Tragedy starts fairly quickly in this movie, after James fatally strikes a pedestrian when driving home from a beach trip outside the resort’s walls with his new friends. He soon learns that La Tolqa has a zero tolerance policy for crime, and anyone who violates the law is sentenced to death.
That is, unless you’re rich.
There’s a fascinating “doubling” custom on the island, allowing those sentenced to death with enough money to have a functioning lookalike created of them to be executed instead. James forks over a big chunk of change to the La Tolqan guards, has a double created, and views his own gruesome death.
You’d think this would convince James to stay out of trouble, but it does the opposite. Gabi and Alban introduce James to a life of depravity, and he’s all in. But too much of a good thing — or in this case, a bad thing — never works out for anyone, right?
Infinity Pool’s commentary on class systems is just as heavy as its graphic displays of violence. By no means is this an easy film to watch, and those who are weak in the stomach should sit this one out. But, if you can tolerate gore, this movie is a must-see.
Cronenberg’s thrilling storyline forces viewers to question reality multiple times, ultimately leaving them unsettled as the credits roll. It’s the perfect marriage of suspense and gore, with dark humor sprinkled at just the right moments. You’ll be glued to the screen, even when you want to look away.
Infinity Pool’s only flaws are its artistic scenes that drag on a little too much and distract from the story, and the underwhelming ending. Cronenberg’s decision to end the movie on the note he does is understandable, but it needs more substance.
Skarsgård and Goth both give brilliant performances. Goth once again proves she is the master of insanity, showcasing her dynamic range in her portrayal of Gabi. This charming yet psychotic seductress would give Goth’s previous role of the titular character in Ti West’s Pearla run for her money. Skarsgård evokes both pity and disgust as James. That couldn’t have been an easy role to play, but he does so with ease.
Infinity Pool is a bizarre ride from start to finish. Its talented cast, terrifying story, and poignant themes of morality and classism make it a standout film in its genre. Perhaps The Academy will finally give a horror movie the recognition it deserves after watching this one.
Score: 8/10
Infinity Pool is currently playing in theaters
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