Review of Infinity Pool (2023) by Samcharlot123 — 19 Feb 2023

I don't know who these other people writing reviews are, but clearly they don't know much about cinema..or good well paced storytelling for that matter. Clearly they don't know much about David Cronenberg either. His son, Brandon Cronenberg directed this film and I can see the influence. I'm willing to go out on a limb and say that Brandon may be on a path to do outdo his father. Especially with 2020's "Possessor". Both Possessor and Infinity Pool are both great and it's hard to put one over the other. This is not a horror film, so the other reviewers I've read don't know what they're talking about. This is more a surrealist thriller with a little bit of horror splashed in there. The horror is not really obvious, but just the audacity and lengths the story goes to is what's truly horrific about it. That's why I don't classify it as horror, because it's not cheap jump scares, it's body horror "I can't believe they put this to screen" kind of scares. This film is more in the vain of Mulholland Drive, Possessor(obviously), and early David Cronenberg's work. Think Naked Lunch and Videodrome but better paced storyline and more epic if I may say so. His father always put exploitative elements in his films, and for good reason, so it's expected his son would do the same. The exploitative nature I think is needed, as I find both Cronenberg's have some sort of message or cautionary tale of obsessing over sex, murder, infidelity, and pushing limits too far, no matter what nefarious things you indulge yourself in.

I love this movie. With all the modern "horror/thriller" trash out there that doesn't take risks (think Candyman 2021, Smile, and even Barbarian to some degree) it's refreshing to see a beautifully shot film with interesting characters and very well-acted. Not so much by Alexander Skarsgard, but Mia Goth. The last three films I've seen her in, including this one, she stole the show. Her acting in Pearl was so good and to see her shine in this was impressive. It's almost as if she's extremely confident, no matter what the scene or role requires of her. There are moments of cringe her character portrays, and I still love the way she presents the cringe. It's sort of endearing to see.

But anyway, if you like weird surrealist films with elements of "body horror" and an underlying message about the bourgeoisie, then please give this film a try.