MY CALL: Wow. This film is a gut punch of surreal-ish reality told with such twisted morality that it feels like it simply would happen just this way… for those few, privileged, wealthy and perverse few. Very hard to watch at times and incredibly morally appalling at every opportunity. Strong recommendation. MORE MOVIES LIKE Infinity Pool: For more cinema that truly challenges it viewers, consider Antichrist (2009), The Babadook (2014), Goodnight Mommy (2014), A Serbian Film (2010), The Lodge (2019), Climax (2018), The Neon Demon (2016), Hereditary (2018), Midsommar (2019), Irréversible (2002) and Martyrs (2008).
Well… this is one of those films that is difficult to discuss without completely spoiling it. When I saw the trailer, I thought I had an idea what this was about. But it was just that: an idea, but certainly not the idea driving the story. And while my estimate was not wrong per se, this was definitely not the type of film I was expecting at all. Maybe that’s a good thing, though. And maybe that very sense of the unexpected is exactly what is to be expected of writer and director Brandon Cronenberg (Antiviral, Possessor).
Meet James (Alexander Skarsgård; True Blood, The Northman) and Em Foster (Cleopatra Coleman; Cobweb), a high society couple vacationing at a snooty resort on the fictional island of La Tolqa. Seeking an escape from their own problems, they join a lively couple (Jalil Lespert and Mia Goth; X, Suspiria, A Cure for Wellness) on an ill-advised adventure outside of the resort property, during which they are part of a fatal car accident. The legal consequences of this accident reveal a twisted set of consequences for criminals of this country. This poor island nation is gorgeous, serene, even perfect. When they are taken by the authorities for their crime, it is dire, bleak, hopeless.
If it’s shocking, provocative or triggering, Cronenberg wants it on screen. Ejaculating onto beach sand, the concave crushed skull of a hit and run victim, the most graphic and vengeful and viscerally penetrating knife-stabbing execution such that you can practically feel the gut stabs…? Yes, to all that. How about graphic sexual content and orgies? Also, yes. And morals so twisted that even when I thought I’d seen it all, I questioned what the actual Hell? Again, yes.
This film takes turns you’re not expecting. Just… bizarre turns… diving deep into perverse depravity, sadistic hedonism, and particularly exploring the sick privilege of the rich in all new and highly illustrative ways.
This film has strong allegory on the ability of the rich to do whatever they want and buy their way out of consequences. And, more importantly, the expectation of the rich that they can do this no matter what, as they please. As twisted as things get, base elements here feel unnervingly close to home when I’m watching the greatest atrocities of the news on TV.
Outstanding film. Not sure what to call it, though. Highly engaging, but not really a fun watch. Highly disturbing, but you actually want to see what transpires. Highly intense, but twistedly amusing. One watch was enough for me. Still, I’d give a strong recommendation for at least that one watch to fans of intense, stressful cinema that challenges its viewers comfort to extremes.