Poor Things: everything we know about Emma Stone’s Oscar-tipped new film

Poor Things

Credit: Searchlight

Under Her Eye


Poor Things: everything we know about Emma Stone’s Oscar-tipped new film

2 min read

Stone is a female Frankenstein’s monster in the weird and wonderful Oscar-tipped Poor Things, her forthcoming film with The Favourite director Yorgos Lanthimos.


If you loved the dark comic chaos of period drama The Favourite, we come bearing good news: the film’s star, Emma Stone, has reunited with its director, Yorgos Lanthimos, to bring us another must-watch project. 

Poor Things is a clever feminist reimagining of Mary Shelley’s gothic classic Frankenstein, based on the 1992 novel by Scottish author Alasdair Gray, and judging by the new trailer, it looks just as weird, wonderful and subversive as The Favourite.

Stone, in her first role since starring as Cruella De Vil in the Disney prequel Cruella back in 2021, plays Bella Baxter, a young woman who is brought back to life in an experiment by the scientist Dr Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe).

Intrigued? Us too. Here’s what we know about the film so far. 

What is Poor Things about?

According to the official synopsis, the film tells “the incredible tale and fantastical evolution of Bella Baxter, a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr Godwin Baxter”.

In the film’s trailer, Baxter explains that Bella’s “brain and her body are not quite synchronised” as a result of his experiment, but “she is progressing at an accelerated pace”.

Eager to learn and hungry for the worldliness she is lacking, the synopsis continues, Bella runs off with a slick lawyer who takes her on a “whirlwind adventure across the continents”.

“Free from the prejudices of her times, Bella grows steadfast in her purpose to stand for equality and liberation.”

You can watch the trailer for Poor Things below. 

Who is in the cast of Poor Things?

As well as Stone and Dafoe, the film also stars Mark Ruffalo as Duncan Wedderburn, the charismatic but debauched lawyer who Bella runs away with.

Ramy Youssef, Girls star Christopher Abbott, Jerrod Carmichael and Maid’s Margaret Qualley also feature on the cast list. 

Poor Things

Credit: Searchlight

Is Poor Things bound for Oscar glory?

Although it hasn’t even been released yet, the film is already creating serious Oscar buzz.  The movie recently won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival and is already being made the frontrunner for the best picture Oscar. Meanwhile, Emma Stone is also being tipped to take home the best actress gong. 

Who else is involved in Poor Things?

Poor Things marks the latest collaboration between director Lanthimos and screenwriter Tony McNamara, who wrote The Favourite and more recently scripted Hulu and Channel 4 series The Great, which stars Elle Fanning as Catherine II of Russia.

Stone will also serve as a producer, working with Element Pictures and Film4.

Who is the Poor Things costume designer?

The costume design in this film is exquisite. Think ruffles, lush fabrics and plenty of unique looks for the main star, Emma Stone. Created by Holly Waddington, each piece is a feast for the eyes!

When will Poor Things be released?

Poor Things is set to arrive in UK cinemas on 12 January 2024, and it’s already one of our most anticipated film releases of winter. 


Images: Searchlight

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