Poor Things (film)

In late-Victorian London, 1882,{{efn|The period of the film is "difficult to pin"{{Cite news |last=Ide |first=Wendy |date=January 14, 2024 |title=Poor Things review – Emma Stone transfixes in Yorgos Lanthimos's thrilling carnival of oddness |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/jan/14/poor-things-review-yorgos-lanthimos-emma-stone-frankenstein |access-date=January 26, 2024 |newspaper=The Guardian |archive-date=January 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126235839/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/jan/14/poor-things-review-yorgos-lanthimos-emma-stone-frankenstein |url-status=live}} as various futuristic and fantasy elements are included in the cityscapes of Lisbon and Alexandria.}} the medical student Max McCandles is recruited by the mad scientist Godwin Baxter to record the behaviour of a strange, nearly mute woman living in Godwin's house. Godwin reveals that her body is that of a woman who was pregnant and committed suicide by leaping off Tower Bridge; Godwin replaced the woman's brain with that of the fetus, giving her an infant's mind, and named her Bella Baxter.

As weeks pass, Bella's vocabulary improves and she exhibits childlike wonder at the world. With Godwin's encouragement, Max falls in love with Bella and proposes marriage. Bella accepts, but soon discovers masturbation and sexual pleasure, leading her to run off with Duncan Wedderburn, a debauched lawyer, to Lisbon. There, they have near-constant intercourse as Bella lives purely for pleasure. She is mistakenly addressed as "Victoria Blessington" by a fellow hotel guest.

As Bella becomes difficult for Duncan to control, he smuggles her onto a cruise ship, where she befriends two passengers who open her mind to philosophy. Duncan attempts to stunt her growth to no avail, and indulges in drinking and gambling. During a stop at Alexandria, Bella witnesses the suffering of the poor and becomes distraught. Wishing to help them, she entrusts Duncan's winnings to unscrupulous members of the crew, who falsely promise to give it to them. Unable to afford the rest of the trip, Bella and Duncan are dropped off at Marseille and make their way to Paris, penniless. Seeking money and accommodation, Bella begins working at a brothel. Enraged, Duncan breaks down, and Bella abandons him. At the brothel, she comes under the tutelage of Madame Swiney and begins a relationship with fellow prostitute Toinette, who introduces her to socialism.

Now terminally ill, Godwin asks Max to bring Bella to him. Max finds her after tracking down Duncan, who has been institutionalized. Back in London, Bella reconciles with Godwin and renews her plans to marry Max, but their wedding is interrupted by Duncan and General Alfie Blessington. Alfie, addressing Bella as Victoria, declares that they were married before her disappearance and that he has come to reclaim her. Bella leaves Max to learn of her past life, but discovers Alfie's violent and sadistic nature. Bella realizes that she was Victoria, and that she killed herself to escape Alfie.

Alfie confines Bella to his mansion and tells her that he plans to have her clitoris removed and impregnate her, threatening her with a gun and demanding she drink a sedative. She tosses the sedative in his face. Alfie accidentally shoots himself in the foot and passes out. Bella returns to Godwin's house and, with Max's help, transplants a goat's brain into Alfie's head. Godwin dies peacefully with Bella and Max at his side. Bella, Max, and Toinette begin a new life in Godwin's house, while Alfie eats grass happily.

{{Cast list|

• Emma Stone as Bella Baxter/Victoria Blessington
• Mark Ruffalo as Duncan Wedderburn
• Willem Dafoe as Dr. Godwin Baxter
• Ramy Youssef as Max McCandles
• Christopher Abbott as Alfie Blessington
• Suzy Bemba as Toinette
• Jerrod Carmichael as Harry Astley
• Kathryn Hunter as Swiney
• Vicki Pepperdine as Mrs. Prim
• Margaret Qualley as Felicity
• Hanna Schygulla as Martha von Kurtzroc
• Keeley Forsyth as Allison the maid
• John Locke as David the butler
• Kate Handford as Kitty
• Owen Good as Gerald
• Damien Bonnard as Father
• Tom Stourton as Steward
• Raphaël Thiéry as Saveur the butcher
• Wayne Brett as Priest
• Carminho as Fado singing woman
• Jerskin Fendrix as Lisbon restaurant musician

}}

File:Yorgos Lanthimos 2023 (cropped).jpg]]

Produced by Film4 Productions, Element Pictures, TSG Entertainment, and Searchlight Pictures, development on the film began as early as 2009, when Lanthimos went to Scotland to discuss the acquisition of the rights to Poor Things with the author, Alasdair Gray. "He was a very lovely man", Lanthimos said. "Unfortunately, he died just a couple of years before we actually made the film, but he was very special and energetic; he was 80-something [when we met], and as soon as I got there, he had seen Dogtooth and said, 'I had my friend put on the DVD, because I don't know how to operate these things, but I think you're very talented, young man.'" Lanthimos said Gray took him on a personal tour of Glasgow, where Gray showed him several places he had incorporated into the story.{{cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/1309241/poor-things-author-was-fan-of-yorgos-lanthimos-from-the-start/|title=Poor Things Author Was A Fan Of Yorgos Lanthimos From The Start|website=/Film|first=Jeremy|last=Smith|date=June 12, 2023|access-date=November 5, 2023|archive-date=November 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231105112650/https://www.slashfilm.com/1309241/poor-things-author-was-fan-of-yorgos-lanthimos-from-the-start/|url-status=live}}

While filming The Favourite (2018), Lanthimos revisited the project, which he discussed with Emma Stone, who starred in that film. He began developing Poor Things more actively after the success of The Favourite: "After the relative success of The Favourite, where I actually made a slightly more expensive film that was successful, people were more inclined to allow me to do whatever it is that I wanted, so I just went back to Gray's book and said, 'This is what I want to do.' It was a long process, but the book was always on my mind." While developing the film, Lanthimos and Stone collaborated on the short film Bleat (2022).{{cite magazine|url=https://www.vogue.com/article/emma-stone-yorgos-lanthimos-poor-things-interview|last=Specter|first=Emma|title=Exclusive: Emma Stone and Yorgos Lanthimos on Creating a Woman Free of Shame in Poor Things|magazine=Vogue|date=May 31, 2023|access-date=July 29, 2023|archive-date=July 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730010207/https://www.vogue.com/article/emma-stone-yorgos-lanthimos-poor-things-interview|url-status=live}}

Poor Things was announced in February 2021.{{cite magazine |last=White |first=James |title=Yorgos Lanthimos And Emma Stone Reportedly Reuniting For Frankenstein-Style Tale Poor Things |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/yorgos-lanthimos-and-emma-stone-reportedly-reuniting-for-frankenstein-style-tale-poor-things/ |magazine=Empire |access-date=May 22, 2021 |date=February 3, 2021 |archive-date=February 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215062709/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/yorgos-lanthimos-and-emma-stone-reportedly-reuniting-for-frankenstein-style-tale-poor-things/ |url-status=live}} Lanthimos said that working with Stone again gave him an advantage, as they had developed a mutual trust. Stone also discussed how the process of making Poor Things was different from making The Favourite because she also acted as a producer: "It was so interesting to be involved in how the film was being pieced together, from cast to department heads to what have you. Ultimately, Yorgos was the one making those decisions, but I was very involved in the process, which started during the pandemic; we were reaching out to people and casting and everything during that time, because we couldn't go anywhere."

Willem Dafoe entered negotiations to join the cast in March 2021.{{cite web |last=Kroll |first=Justin |title=Willem Dafoe In Talks To Co-Star In Yorgos Lanthimos Adaptation of 'Poor Things' For Searchlight and Film4 |url=https://deadline.com/2021/03/willem-dafoe-yorgos-lanthimos-poor-things-searchlight-1234711756/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=May 22, 2021 |date=March 10, 2021 |archive-date=May 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521210528/https://deadline.com/2021/03/willem-dafoe-yorgos-lanthimos-poor-things-searchlight-1234711756/ |url-status=live}} In April, Ramy Youssef was in talks to join.{{cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |title=Ramy Youssef In Talks To Join Emma Stone In Yorgos Lanthimos' 'Poor Things' For Searchlight & Film4 |url=https://deadline.com/2021/04/ramy-youssef-emma-stone-movie-poor-things-cast-1234733645/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=May 22, 2021 |date=April 13, 2021 |archive-date=January 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125133554/https://deadline.com/2021/04/ramy-youssef-emma-stone-movie-poor-things-cast-1234733645/ |url-status=live}} Dafoe and Youssef were confirmed to join in May, with Mark Ruffalo and Jerrod Carmichael also added to the cast.{{cite magazine |last=Galuppo |first=Mia |title=Mark Ruffalo Joins Emma Stone in Yorgos Lanthimos Feature 'Poor Things' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/mark-ruffalo-yorgos-lanthimos-poor-things-1234956964/ |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=May 22, 2021 |date=May 21, 2021 |archive-date=May 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522003445/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/mark-ruffalo-yorgos-lanthimos-poor-things-1234956964/ |url-status=live}}{{cite magazine |last=Jackson |first=Angelique |title=Jerrod Carmichael Joins Emma Stone in Yorgos Lanthimos' 'Poor Things' |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/jerrod-carmichael-emma-stone-yorgos-lanthimos-poor-things-1234980798/ |magazine=Variety |access-date=May 25, 2021 |date=May 25, 2021 |archive-date=December 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220044254/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/jerrod-carmichael-emma-stone-yorgos-lanthimos-poor-things-1234980798/ |url-status=live}} In September, Christopher Abbott was cast.{{cite web |last=Kroll |first=Justin |title=Christopher Abbott Joins Emma Stone In Yorgos Lanthimos' Adaptation of 'Poor Things' For Searchlight And Film4 |url=https://deadline.com/2021/09/christopher-abbott-emma-stone-yorgos-lanthimos-poor-things-1234826444/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=September 2, 2021 |date=September 2, 2021 |archive-date=January 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125133554/https://deadline.com/2021/09/christopher-abbott-emma-stone-yorgos-lanthimos-poor-things-1234826444/ |url-status=live}} In November, Margaret Qualley and Suzy Bemba were cast,{{cite web |last=Kay |first=Jeremy |title=Rising star Suzy Bemba joins Yorgos Lanthimos's 'Poor Things' (exclusive) |url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/rising-star-suzy-bemba-joins-yorgos-lanthimoss-poor-things-exclusive/5165631.article |website=Screen Daily |access-date=November 30, 2021 |date=November 30, 2021 |url-access=limited |archive-date=December 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202035912/https://www.screendaily.com/news/rising-star-suzy-bemba-joins-yorgos-lanthimoss-poor-things-exclusive/5165631.article |url-status=live}} with Kathryn Hunter also revealing she had a role in the film.{{cite news |last=Rottenberg |first=Josh |title=Joel Coen's 'The Tragedy of Macbeth' has big stars. But it's Kathryn Hunter who steals the show |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2021-11-11/tragedy-of-macbeth-kathryn-hunter-three-witches |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |access-date=December 10, 2021 |date=November 11, 2021 |archive-date=January 25, 2022 |url-access=limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125130642/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2021-11-11/tragedy-of-macbeth-kathryn-hunter-three-witches |url-status=live}}

In preparation for her role, Stone took dance lessons and accidentally dyed her hair black. Lanthimos liked the contrast between the dark hair and Stone's fair complexion.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/willem-dafoe-mortician-school-poor-things-exclusive/|last=Travis|first=Ben|title=Willem Dafoe Went To Mortician School For Poor Things: 'It's Not A Normal Film' – Exclusive Image|magazine=Empire|date=August 1, 2023|access-date=August 19, 2023|archive-date=August 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819211420/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/willem-dafoe-mortician-school-poor-things-exclusive/|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/emma-stone-yorgos-lanthimos-poor-things-hair-dye-accident/|last=Maytum|first=Matt|title=Emma Stone's unique Poor Things character look was actually a mistake|magazine=Total Film|date=August 11, 2023|access-date=August 19, 2023|archive-date=August 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819211420/https://www.gamesradar.com/emma-stone-yorgos-lanthimos-poor-things-hair-dye-accident/|url-status=live}} Stone said she was attracted to the idea of portraying a woman reborn with a liberated mindset free from societal pressures: {{blockquote|It's such a fairy tale, and a metaphor—clearly, this can't actually happen—but the idea that you could start anew as a woman, as this body that's already formed, and see everything for the first time and try to understand the nature of sexuality, or power, or money or choice, the ability to make choices and live by your own rules and not society's—I thought that was a really fascinating world to go into.}}

Stone especially appreciated Bella's lack of shame:

{{blockquote|Even though Bella has obviously been through trauma in her life, it just isn't there for her now. She was the most joyous character in the world to play, because she has no shame about anything. She's new, you know? I've never had to build a character before that didn't have things that had happened to them or had been put on them by society throughout their lives. It was an extremely freeing experience to be her.}}

Youssef said that to prepare for their roles, he and Dafoe attended mortician school. Reflecting on the "experimental theater games" Lanthimos assigned the cast before filming, Dafoe said, "You're very patient with everyone, and everyone's patient with you. They need to be confident in what they're doing, because what we're doing is quite risky. It's not a normal film." Dafoe spent six hours each day in the hair and makeup department—four hours getting extensive prosthetics applied to his face at the start of the day and two hours to get it all removed at the end.{{Cite magazine |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/willem-dafoe-poor-things-makeup-six-hours-1235788244/ |title=Willem Dafoe's 'Poor Things' Makeup Took Six Hours Each Day to Get On: I'd Show Up at 3 A.M., 'Meditating and Trying to Deal With Standing Still' |magazine=Variety |date=November 11, 2023 |access-date=November 12, 2023 |archive-date=November 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231112044907/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/willem-dafoe-poor-things-makeup-six-hours-1235788244/ |url-status=live}}

Discussing the male characterizations, Lanthimos acknowledged that while each male character was different and had his own motivation, they all reflected male attitudes typical of the story's Victorian setting. He said:

{{blockquote|There are variations, I guess, but in this film, there's a general tendency to try to control [Bella]—even if it's done in a caring or subtle way, in the way that a parent might or that [Dafoe's character] Baxter does, or just being infatuated in the way that Ramy is. You know, being a nice man deep down, but still having the characteristics of a man of that era.}}

Stone also said that "the more agency Bella gets, the more she learns and grows, the more it drives these men insane. The more she has an opinion and her own wants and needs and all of that, it makes them crazy; they want her to stay this sort of pure thing."

Principal photography took place in Hungary, beginning in August 2021 at Origo Studios in Budapest{{cite web |last=Varga |first=Denes |title=Hungarian Film Industry Is Booming in 2021 |url=https://www.filmneweurope.com/news/hungary-news/item/122427-hungarian-film-industry-is-booming-in-2021 |publisher=Film New Europe Association |access-date=October 14, 2021 |date=October 5, 2021 |archive-date=January 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121012431/https://www.filmneweurope.com/news/hungary-news/item/122427-hungarian-film-industry-is-booming-in-2021 |url-status=live}} and wrapping that December.{{cite web |title=Poor Things will film in Hungary, starring Emma Stone |url=https://www.budapestreporter.com/poor-things-will-film-in-hungary-starring-emma-stone/ |website=Budapest Reporter |access-date=August 24, 2023 |date=June 27, 2021 |archive-date=January 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125133600/https://www.budapestreporter.com/poor-things-will-film-in-hungary-starring-emma-stone/ |url-status=live}} It is the first feature film to be partially shot on Kodak's 35mm Ektachrome color reversal motion picture film stock since its revival in 2018.{{Cite web |date=January 10, 2024 |title=DP Robbie Ryan ISC BSC Conjured Up Colorful, Atmospheric Looks for 'Poor Things' Using Kodak 35mm B&W, Color Negative and Ektachrome Reversal Film Stocks |url=https://www.kodak.com/en/motion/blog-post/poor-things/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110015645/https://www.kodak.com/en/motion/blog-post/poor-things/ |archive-date=January 10, 2024 |access-date=January 10, 2024 |publisher=Kodak}}

According to cinematographer Robbie Ryan, Francis Ford Coppola's 1992 film Bram Stoker's Dracula served as the main source of inspiration to everyone making the picture.{{Cite web |date=December 9, 2023 |title=Poor Things' Robbie Ryan on lighting a sci-fi sex comedy, being inspired by Francis Ford Coppola |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/movies/poor-things-robbie-ryan-interview/ |access-date=December 12, 2023 |website=Digital Trends |archive-date=December 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212031555/https://www.digitaltrends.com/movies/poor-things-robbie-ryan-interview/ |url-status=live}} Other films that served as influences were Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's Black Narcissus (1947), Federico Fellini's And The Ship Sails On (1983), and several films by Roy Andersson.{{cite web | url=https://www.screendaily.com/features/creating-the-look-of-poor-things-flying-trams-belle-epoque-inspirations-and-emma-stones-hair/5188265.article | title=Creating the look of 'Poor Things': Flying trams, Belle Époque inspirations and Emma Stone's hair | website=Screen Daily | access-date=January 12, 2024 | archive-date=December 8, 2023 | url-access=limited | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208152605/https://www.screendaily.com/features/creating-the-look-of-poor-things-flying-trams-belle-epoque-inspirations-and-emma-stones-hair/5188265.article | url-status=live}}

File:Poor Things; Τα Κοστούμια, έκθεση στο Μουσείο Μπενάκη 01.jpg, Athens]]

Lanthimos worked closely with costume designer Holly Waddington to reflect Bella's growth and development through her wardrobe, from the more puffy silhouettes of her childlike era to the nearly corseted gown she wears at the film's climax.{{Cite news |last=Ryzik |first=Melena |date=January 2, 2024 |title=Unfurling the Unusual Costumes of 'Poor Things' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/02/movies/emma-stone-bella-baxter-costumes-poor-things.html |access-date=January 26, 2024 |newspaper=The New York Times |archive-date=January 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124173127/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/02/movies/emma-stone-bella-baxter-costumes-poor-things.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite magazine |last=Laffly |first=Tomris |date=January 15, 2024 |title="We'd Have These Practical Conversations About How Sex Would Be Achieved in These Costumes": Costume Designer Holly Waddington On the Historical Rule-Breaking of Her Work in Poor Things |url=https://filmmakermagazine.com/124232-holly-waddington-poor-things/ |access-date=January 26, 2024 |magazine=Filmmaker |archive-date=January 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126004257/https://filmmakermagazine.com/124232-holly-waddington-poor-things/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite magazine |last=Tangcay |first=Jazz |date=December 8, 2023 |title=How Knickers, a 'Condom Coat' and a State of Undress Define Emma Stone's Costume Arc in 'Poor Things' |url=https://variety.com/2023/artisans/features/poor-things-emma-stone-knickers-condom-coat-costume-arc-1235784223/ |access-date=January 26, 2024 |magazine=Variety |archive-date=January 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126004257/https://variety.com/2023/artisans/features/poor-things-emma-stone-knickers-condom-coat-costume-arc-1235784223/ |url-status=live}} Stone elaborated on Bella's growth as reflected through her costumes, noting how at the beginning of the story she dresses in more traditional clothing and dresses more bizarrely as she transforms. She said:

{{blockquote|I loved that element of, how would Bella put clothing together with the way her mind works at this point? At the end, there are these very military-looking dresses that look like nothing you've seen Bella wear; things are much more form-fitting and constrained, but that's because she's come to a place where she's grown and decided who she is and what she's going to do. She's not assimilating, necessarily, but there's just more structure there.}}

{{Main|Poor Things (soundtrack){{!}}Poor Things (soundtrack)}}

Poor Things was the first film scored by the pop musician Jerskin Fendrix. Milan Records released the soundtrack album in conjunction with the film's release date, December 8, 2023. Two singles, "Bella" and "Lisbon", were released on November 14.{{Cite web |title=Jerskin Fendrix Scoring Yorgos Lanthimos' 'Poor Things' |url=https://filmmusicreporter.com/2023/06/01/jerskin-fendrix-scoring-yorgos-lanthimos-poor-things/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115171504/https://filmmusicreporter.com/2023/06/01/jerskin-fendrix-scoring-yorgos-lanthimos-poor-things/ |archive-date=November 15, 2023 |access-date=November 15, 2023 |website=Film Music Reporter}}

David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter called Poor Things "genre-defying". Critics have described its genre as a sex comedy, gothic comedy, black comedy, and an absurdist comedy.{{Cite web |last=Lattanzio |first=Ryan |date=September 1, 2023 |title='Poor Things' Review: Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone's Brazenly Weird Sex Comedy Is an Instant Classic |url=https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/poor-things-review-yorgos-lanthimos-emma-stone-1234901594/ |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=IndieWire |language=en-US |archive-date=March 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304014520/https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/poor-things-review-yorgos-lanthimos-emma-stone-1234901594/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Collin |first=Robbie |date=September 1, 2023 |title=Poor Things, review: Emma Stone's raunchy gothic comedy is unlike anything you've seen in years |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/poor-things-review-emma-stone-yorgos-lanthimos/ |access-date=March 4, 2024 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=March 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304014520/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/poor-things-review-emma-stone-yorgos-lanthimos/ |url-status=live }} Some noted steampunk elements in the visual design.{{Cite web |last=Monson |first=Leigh |date=December 6, 2023 |title=Poor Things review: Emma Stone comes to life in a feminist masterpiece |url=https://www.avclub.com/poor-things-review-emma-stone-comes-to-life-in-a-femin-1851000633 |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=The A.V. Club |language=en |archive-date=March 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304100237/https://www.avclub.com/poor-things-review-emma-stone-comes-to-life-in-a-femin-1851000633 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Hornaday |first=Ann |date=December 4, 2023 |title='Poor Things': Bawdy and boundary-pushing, but also revelatory |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/movies/2023/12/04/poor-things-movie-review/ |newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{Cite web |last=Roeper |first=Richard |date=December 13, 2023 |title=Strikingly original 'Poor Things' imagines big things in its twisted but fantastical world |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/movies-and-tv/2023/12/13/23992544/poor-things-review-emma-stone-movie-mark-ruffalo-yorgos-lanthimos |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=Chicago Sun-Times |language=en |archive-date=March 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304100239/https://chicago.suntimes.com/movies-and-tv/2023/12/13/23992544/poor-things-review-emma-stone-movie-mark-ruffalo-yorgos-lanthimos |url-status=live }} It has also been described by English scholars as a work of science fiction. {{Cite journal |last=Berndt |first=Katrin |date=2016 |title=“The Things We Are”: Alasdair Gray’s Poor Things and the Science of Man |url=https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=469095 |journal=ANGLICA - An International Journal of English Studies |language=English |volume=25 |issue=1 |pages=125–140 |issn=0860-5734}}

Poor Things had its world premiere at the 80th Venice International Film Festival on September 1, 2023,{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2023/film/global/venice-film-festival-lineup-1235678563/|title=Venice Lineup Includes Films by Bradley Cooper, Sofia Coppola, Ava DuVernay, David Fincher and More|magazine=Variety|first=Nick|last=Vivarelli|date=July 25, 2023|access-date=July 25, 2023|archive-date=July 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725200753/https://variety.com/2023/film/global/venice-film-festival-lineup-1235678563/|url-status=live}} and also screened at the Telluride Film Festival,{{cite web |last=Thompson |first=Anne |date=August 30, 2023 |title=2023 Telluride Film Festival Lineup Leans on Filmmakers Like Lanthimos, Fennell, Haigh, Triet, and More |url=https://www.indiewire.com/news/festivals/2023-telluride-film-festival-lineup-1234900545/ |access-date=August 30, 2023 |website=IndieWire |archive-date=September 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920033923/https://www.indiewire.com/news/festivals/2023-telluride-film-festival-lineup-1234900545/ |url-status=live}} the New York Film Festival,{{cite web |date=August 8, 2023 |title=61st New York Film Festival Main Slate Announced |url=https://www.filmlinc.org/daily/61st-new-york-film-festival-main-slate-announced/ |access-date=August 9, 2023 |publisher=Film at Lincoln Center |archive-date=January 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240122200851/https://www.filmlinc.org/nyff2023/daily/61st-new-york-film-festival-main-slate-announced/ |url-status=live}} the BFI London Film Festival,{{cite web|last=Ntim|first=Zac|date=August 31, 2023|title=BFI London Film Festival Full Lineup: 'The Book Of Clarence' World Premiere; Scorsese, Miyazaki, Lanthimos & Fincher Among Headline Galas|url=https://deadline.com/2023/08/london-film-festival-bfi-the-book-of-clarence-1235531461/|access-date=August 31, 2023|website=Deadline Hollywood|archive-date=August 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230831110415/https://deadline.com/2023/08/london-film-festival-bfi-the-book-of-clarence-1235531461/|url-status=live}} the Busan International Film Festival,{{cite web|url=https://www.biff.kr/eng/html/program/prog_all_list.asp?allYear=2023|title=The 28th Busan International Film Festival: Selection List|publisher=Busan International Film Festival|date=September 5, 2023|access-date=September 11, 2023|archive-date=September 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915141852/https://www.biff.kr/eng/html/program/prog_all_list.asp?allYear=2023|url-status=live}} and the Sitges Film Festival.{{cite web|url=https://sitgesfilmfestival.com/en/noticies/festivals-56th-edition-kicks-announcing-its-complete-lineup|title=The Festival's 56th Edition Kicks Off by Announcing its Complete Lineup|publisher=Sitges Film Festival|date=September 12, 2023|access-date=September 17, 2023|archive-date=September 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918072027/https://sitgesfilmfestival.com/en/noticies/festivals-56th-edition-kicks-announcing-its-complete-lineup|url-status=live}} The film had a limited theatrical release by Searchlight Pictures in the United States on December 8, 2023, and began a wide release on December 22, 2023.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2023/07/searchlights-poor-things-emma-stone-september-december-1235447551/ |title=Searchlight's 'Poor Things' Starring Emma Stone Pushes Release Date From September To December |website=Deadline Hollywood |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=July 25, 2023 |access-date=July 25, 2023 |archive-date=July 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726000636/https://deadline.com/2023/07/searchlights-poor-things-emma-stone-september-december-1235447551/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://hypebeast.com/2023/11/poor-things-trailer-emma-stone-info|title=Emma Stone Is Scientifically Resurrected In 'Poor Things' Trailer|website=HypeBeast|last=Sacal|first=Andrea|date=November 23, 2023|access-date=November 24, 2023|archive-date=November 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231123141839/https://hypebeast.com/2023/11/poor-things-trailer-emma-stone-info|url-status=live}} It was released in Ireland and the United Kingdom on January 12, 2024.{{Cite tweet|number=1684965458775089157|user=SearchlightUK|title=A film by Yorgos Lanthimos. Premiering at this year's Venice Film Festival. In UK and Irish cinemas January 12, 2024.|author=Searchlight Pictures|date=July 28, 2023|access-date=August 1, 2023}} It was previously scheduled to be released on September 8, 2023,{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=April 28, 2023 |title=Emma Stone Reteam With Yorgos Lanthimos 'Poor Things' Sets Early Fall Release |url=https://deadline.com/2023/04/emma-stone-poor-things-yorgos-lanthimos-fall-release-1235340677/ |access-date=April 28, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood |archive-date=May 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506162846/https://deadline.com/2023/04/emma-stone-poor-things-yorgos-lanthimos-fall-release-1235340677/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Pearce |first=Leonard |date=April 28, 2023 |title=First Images from Yorgos Lanthimos' Poor Things, Set for September Release |url=https://thefilmstage.com/first-images-from-yorgos-lanthimos-poor-things-set-for-september-release/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230428173745/https://thefilmstage.com/first-images-from-yorgos-lanthimos-poor-things-set-for-september-release/ |archive-date=April 28, 2023 |access-date=April 28, 2023 |website=The Film Stage}} but was delayed by the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.

Poor Things was released on digital platforms on February 27, 2024,{{cite magazine|last=Tingley|first=Anna|url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/poor-things-how-to-watch-online-streaming-1235907842/|title='Poor Things' Sets Digital, Blu-ray Release With Deleted Scenes and Special Features|magazine=Variety|date=February 12, 2024|access-date=February 28, 2024|archive-date=February 29, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229021410/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/poor-things-how-to-watch-online-streaming-1235907842/|url-status=live}} and became available for streaming on Hulu in the U.S. on March 7{{cite web|title=Emma Stone Searchlight Pic Poor Things Hitting Hulu Prior To Oscar Weekend|url=https://deadline.com/2024/02/poor-things-hulu-release-1235840612/|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=February 28, 2024|access-date=February 28, 2024|archive-date=February 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228162227/https://deadline.com/2024/02/poor-things-hulu-release-1235840612/|url-status=live}} and on Disney+ in Canada the same day.{{Cite web |last=McKechnie |first=Brian |date=February 29, 2024 |title=When you can watch Poor Things on Disney+ Canada |url=https://homewithbrian.ca/2024/02/29/watch-poor-things-disney-plus-canada/ |access-date=March 8, 2024 |website=Home with Brian |language=en-US |archive-date=March 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308230633/https://homewithbrian.ca/2024/02/29/watch-poor-things-disney-plus-canada/ |url-status=live }} The film was released by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment on Blu-ray and DVD on March 12.

Poor Things grossed $34.6 million in the United States and Canada, and $82.6 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $117.2 million.

In its limited opening weekend, it made $644,000 from nine theaters, a per-venue average of $71,556 (the third-best of 2023).{{cite web|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|title=Hayao Miyazaki Notches Record $12M+ U.S. Opening With 'The Boy And The Heron'; 'Renaissance' Loses Glam With −77% Drop – Sunday Box Office Update|url=https://deadline.com/2023/12/box-office-boy-and-the-heron-beyonce-renaissance-1235658395/|date=December 10, 2023|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=December 10, 2023|archive-date=December 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211035548/https://deadline.com/2023/12/box-office-boy-and-the-heron-beyonce-renaissance-1235658395/|url-status=live}} Expanding to 82 theaters the following weekend, it made $2.2 million, finishing 10th.{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=December 17, 2023 |title='Wonka' Yummy With $39M Opening As Musicals Bounce Back At The Box Office – Sunday Update |url=https://deadline.com/2023/12/box-office-wonka-1235669099/ |access-date=December 17, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood |archive-date=December 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217043535/https://deadline.com/2023/12/box-office-wonka-1235669099/ |url-status=live}} In its third weekend it made $2.4 million from 800 theaters, and a total of $3.4 million over the four-day Christmas frame.{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=December 24, 2023 |title=Christmas Box Office Slows Down: 'Aquaman 2' $38M-$39M, 'Wonka' $26M, 'Migration' $17M & More – Sunday Update |url=https://deadline.com/2023/12/box-office-aquaman-and-the-lost-kingdom-migration-color-purple-1235680766/ |access-date=December 24, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood |archive-date=December 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223232344/https://deadline.com/2023/12/box-office-aquaman-and-the-lost-kingdom-migration-color-purple-1235680766/ |url-status=live}} Following its 11 Oscar nominations, it expanded from 900 theaters to 2,300 in its eighth week of release and made $3.08 million, an increase of 43% from the previous weekend.{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=January 28, 2024 |title='The Beekeeper' Looks To Sting 'Mean Girls' During Woeful Weekend Without Wide Releases; How 'Barbenheimer' & Oscar Best Pic Noms Fared – Sunday Box Office Update |url=https://deadline.com/2024/01/box-office-mean-girls-beekeeper-1235806489/ |access-date=January 28, 2024 |website=Deadline Hollywood |archive-date=January 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127185236/https://deadline.com/2024/01/box-office-mean-girls-beekeeper-1235806489/ |url-status=live}} The next weekend it made $2.2 million.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/02/box-office-argylle-1235812281/|title=Apple Original Films' Argylle With C+ CinemaScore & Near $17M Opening Isn't Cutting It At Weekend Box Office – Saturday Update|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=February 3, 2024|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|access-date=February 3, 2024|archive-date=February 3, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203021723/https://deadline.com/2024/02/box-office-argylle-1235812281/|url-status=live}}

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{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|93|8.5|377|Wildly imaginative and exhilaratingly over the top, Poor Things is a bizarre, brilliant tour de force for director Yorgos Lanthimos and star Emma Stone.|access-date=November 18, 2024|ref=y}} {{Metacritic film prose|88|62|ref=yes|access-date=March 3, 2024}} Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale, while 68% of those polled by PostTrak called the film "excellent", with 75% saying they would definitely recommend it. Glamour wrote that the film "received widespread critical acclaim following its world premiere" and that Stone was "praised for her hilariously bold and fearless sex scenes" in it.{{Cite magazine |last=Waheed |first=Jabeen |title=Emma Stone praised by critics for 'fearless' and 'wacky' sex scenes in new sci-fi fantasy film Poor Things |url=https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/emma-stone-poor-things-sex-scene |date=September 4, 2023 |access-date=October 9, 2023 |magazine=Glamour |archive-date=October 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022225924/https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/emma-stone-poor-things-sex-scene |url-status=live}}

Stephanie Zacharek of Time wrote that Poor Things is "Lanthimos' finest film so far, a strange, gorgeous-looking picture that extends generosity both to its characters and the audience". She called Stone's performance "wonderful—vital, exploratory, almost lunar in its perfect oddness".{{Cite magazine |last=Zacharek |first=Stephanie |title=Venice Review: Emma Stone Works Twisted Fairytale Magic in Poor Things |url=https://time.com/6310400/poor-things-review-emma-stone/ |date=September 1, 2023 |access-date=September 6, 2023 |magazine=Time |archive-date=September 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906080012/https://time.com/6310400/poor-things-review-emma-stone/ |url-status=live}} Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian called it a "virtuoso comic epic" and added that Stone had given a "hilarious, beyond-next-level performance".{{cite news |last=Bradshaw |first=Peter |title=Poor Things review – Emma Stone has a sexual adventure in Yorgos Lanthimos's virtuoso comic epic |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/sep/01/poor-things-review-yorgos-lanthimos-emma-stone |access-date=September 3, 2023 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=September 1, 2023 |archive-date=September 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230912184843/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/sep/01/poor-things-review-yorgos-lanthimos-emma-stone |url-status=live}} David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter termed it "an insanely enjoyable fairy tale", adding that Stone "gorges on it in a fearless performance that traces an expansive arc most actors could only dream about".{{Cite magazine|last=Rooney|first=David|title='Poor Things' Review: Emma Stone Is Stupendous as a Reanimated Woman Reinventing Herself in Yorgos Lanthimos' Fantastical Odyssey|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/poor-things-review-emma-stone-mark-ruffalo-yorgos-lanthimos-1235579912/|date=September 1, 2023|access-date=September 1, 2023|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|archive-date=September 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901170606/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/poor-things-review-emma-stone-mark-ruffalo-yorgos-lanthimos-1235579912/|url-status=live}} Variety{{'s}} Guy Lodge also wrote that the film "rests on a single astonishing performance by Stone".{{Cite magazine|last=Lodge|first=Guy|title='Poor Things' Review: Emma Stone and Yorgos Lanthimos Fly Their Freak Flags in a Delicious Coming-of-Age Story Like No Other|url=https://variety.com/2023/film/festivals/poor-things-review-emma-stone-1235710477/|date=September 1, 2023|access-date=September 1, 2023|magazine=Variety|archive-date=September 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901164759/https://variety.com/2023/film/festivals/poor-things-review-emma-stone-1235710477/|url-status=live}}

BBC Culture's Nicholas Barber found the film "outrageous and hilarious", comparing it to the work of Wes Anderson and Terry Gilliam. The review also noted that the novel's realistic 19th-century setting had been changed to a fantastical "steam-punk wonderland", and that some of its satirical humor and most of its socialist and feminist themes had been toned down.{{cite web |last=Barber |first=Nicholas |title=Poor Things review: Emma Stone is 'perfectly cast' in this truly bizarre female Frankenstein story |url=https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20230901-poor-things-review-emma-stone-is-perfectly-cast-in-this-truly-bizarre-female-frankenstein-story |publisher=BBC |access-date=September 3, 2023 |archive-date=September 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903005446/https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20230901-poor-things-review-emma-stone-is-perfectly-cast-in-this-truly-bizarre-female-frankenstein-story |url-status=live}} Reviews by The Guardian, Variety and Entertainment Weekly{{cite magazine |date=September 3, 2023 |title=Poor Things review: Emma Stone and Mark Ruffalo lead a demented comedy of self-creation and degradation |url=https://ew.com/movies/movie-reviews/poor-things-review-yorgos-lanthimos-emma-stone-mark-ruffalo/ |access-date=September 10, 2023 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-date=September 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230910093835/https://ew.com/movies/movie-reviews/poor-things-review-yorgos-lanthimos-emma-stone-mark-ruffalo/ |url-status=live}} also emphasize the setting's steampunk elements. Manohla Dargis, chief critic of The New York Times, was not as impressed. She felt the story became more "monotonal, flat and dull" over time, writing that the movie's "design is rich, its ideas thin. … It isn't long into Poor Things that you start to feel as if you were being bullied into admiring a film that's so deeply self-satisfied there really isn't room for the two of you". But Dargis too lauded Stone's acting.{{cite news |last=Dargis |first=Manohla |title='Poor Things' Review: Monster Mash |date=December 7, 2023 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/07/movies/poor-things-review.html |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=December 10, 2023 |archive-date=December 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210035918/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/07/movies/poor-things-review.html |url-status=live}}

Filmmakers such as Michael Mann, A. V. Rockwell, Joe Dante, Chloe Domont, Robert Eggers, Kitty Green, Bill Hader, Chad Hartigan, Matt Johnson, Zoe Lister-Jones, James Ponsoldt and Jeff Rowe also praised the film.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.indiewire.com/gallery/directors-best-movies-tv-2023-bill-hader-lulu-wang-robert-eggers/mcdhold-uc030/ |title=38 Directors Pick Their Favorite Films of 2023 |magazine=IndieWire |date=December 31, 2023 |access-date=March 6, 2025}}{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/movies/michael-mann-letterboxd-14-favorite-movies-battleship-potemkin-poor-things/|title=Heat director joins Letterboxd and shares his 14 favorite movies – and, predictably, he has great taste |magazine=GamesRadar+ |date=July 4, 2024 |access-date=March 23, 2025}}

Ramin Setoodeh and Zack Sharf in Variety wrote, "Not everyone loved Poor Things. A stream of [Venice] theatergoers bolted for the exit during some of the racier scenes."{{cite magazine |last=Setoodeh |first=Ramin |title=Emma Stone's Graphic 'Poor Things' Sex Scenes and Tour-De-Force Performance Make Venice Erupt in 8-Minute Standing Ovation for Yorgos Lanthimos |date=September 1, 2023 |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/emma-stone-poor-things-sex-nudity-venice-standing-ovation-1235695885/ |magazine=Variety |access-date=December 18, 2023 |archive-date=December 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212185822/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/emma-stone-poor-things-sex-nudity-venice-standing-ovation-1235695885/ |url-status=live}} Mick LaSalle at the San Francisco Chronicle called the film "a 141-minute mistake", writing, "Worst of all, it's dishonest. It purports to be a feminist document, but it defines a woman's autonomy as the ability to be exploited and not care. ... What version of feminism are these guys—Lanthimos and screenwriter Tony McNamara—trying to sell us here?"{{cite news |last=LaSalle |first=Mick |title=Review: 'Poor Things' is a fractured 'Frankenstein' tale that falls flat |date=December 6, 2023 |url=https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/movies-tv/poor-things-emma-stone-18530863 |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |access-date=December 18, 2023 |archive-date=December 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218122335/https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/movies-tv/poor-things-emma-stone-18530863 |url-status=live}} Film critic Scott Mantz applauded LaSalle's post, finding the film "a seriously misguided take on female empowerment", though he praised the film's ambition and production values.{{cite web |last=LaSalle |first=Mick |title=I don't like 'Poor Things,' and I'm not alone |date=December 18, 2023 |url=https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/movies-tv/ask-mick-poor-things-chaplin-18546649 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |access-date=December 18, 2023 |archive-date=December 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218122306/https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/movies-tv/ask-mick-poor-things-chaplin-18546649 |url-status=live }}

Angelica Jade Bastién of Vulture warned readers, "This isn't a sincere treatise on female sexuality, it's a dark comedy for people who carry around an NPR tote bag", and criticized the film for failing to take a "sincere interest in the interior conflicts" of its protagonist. Bastién identified the decision to make Bella Baxter mentally a child as the "primary failure of Poor Things' sex scenes", citing Bella's depiction as an example of the "born sexy yesterday" trope. "In many ways", she wrote, "the film demonstrates the limits of the modern cis-male auteur's vision for and about women—particularly their sexual selves." Praise was saved for Holly Waddington's costuming, which Bastién called "the greatest triumph of the film".{{cite web |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/poor-things-review-a-banal-rendition-of-sexual-freedom.html |title=Is Poor Things the Best We Can do for Female Sexuality Onscreen? |website=Vulture |date=December 15, 2023 |access-date=January 24, 2024 |archive-date=January 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124154127/https://www.vulture.com/article/poor-things-review-a-banal-rendition-of-sexual-freedom.html |url-status=live}}

The film has been subject to scrutiny in Gray's native Scotland due to its seeming disregard for the source material and its Scottish roots,{{cite news |last=McKie |first=Robin |title='Bloody nonsense': how Glasgow was cut from the Oscar-tipped film Poor Things |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/dec/30/bloody-nonsense-how-glasgow-was-cut-from-the-oscar-tipped-film-poor-things |access-date=January 3, 2024 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=December 30, 2023 |archive-date=January 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240102160735/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/dec/30/bloody-nonsense-how-glasgow-was-cut-from-the-oscar-tipped-film-poor-things |url-status=live}} with online documentary channel Ossian presenting a portrayal of the true origins of Poor Things and its Scottish setting.{{cite news |last=Robertson |first=Adam |title=New documentary celebrates life and legacy of Alasdair Gray |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/23935612.new-documentary-celebrates-life-legacy-alasdair-gray/ |access-date=January 3, 2024 |newspaper=The National |date=November 21, 2023 |archive-date=January 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112092427/https://www.thenational.scot/news/23935612.new-documentary-celebrates-life-legacy-alasdair-gray/ |url-status=live}} Those closest to Gray have suggested that Lanthimos's interpretation of the source material was something Gray agreed to in the early 2010s, when contractual terms for a screenplay were drawn up.{{cite web |last=McLean |first=Pauline |title=Poor Things: 'I don't mind they erased Glasgow from dad's book' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-67957694 |access-date=January 15, 2024 |publisher=BBC News |date=January 13, 2024 |archive-date=January 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115164127/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-67957694 |url-status=live}}

{{Main|List of accolades received by Poor Things (film){{!}}List of accolades received by Poor Things (film)}}

Poor Things won the Golden Lion at the 80th Venice International Film Festival.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/09/venice-film-festival-2023-awards-winners-full-list-1235541624/|title=Venice Winners: Golden Lion Goes To Yorgos Lanthimos For 'Poor Things'; Hamaguchi, Sarsgaard, Spaeny Also Score — Full List|website=Deadline Hollywood|first1=Nancy|last1=Tartaglione|first2=Zac|last2=Ntim|date=September 9, 2023|access-date=September 9, 2023|archive-date=September 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230910044037/https://deadline.com/2023/09/venice-film-festival-2023-awards-winners-full-list-1235541624/|url-status=live}} At the 96th Academy Awards, it received 11 nominations, including Best Picture, and won 4 awards, including Best Actress for Stone.{{Cite web |last1=Fleming |first1=Mike Jr. |last2=Hipes |first2=Patrick |date=January 23, 2024 |title=Oscar Nominations: The Complete List |url=https://deadline.com/2024/01/2024-oscar-nominations-list-1235801088/ |access-date=February 7, 2024 |website=Deadline Hollywood |archive-date=January 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123133912/https://deadline.com/2024/01/2024-oscar-nominations-list-1235801088/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Lang |first1=Brent |last2=Moreau |first2=Jordan |title='Oppenheimer' Reigns at Oscars With Seven Wins, Including Best Picture and Director: Full Winners List |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/awards/oscar-winners-2024-list-1235932341/ |website=Variety |access-date=March 21, 2024 |date=March 10, 2024 |archive-date=March 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240311045043/https://variety.com/2024/film/awards/oscar-winners-2024-list-1235932341/ |url-status=live }} At the 81st Golden Globe Awards, it received seven nominations and won Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for Stone.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2023/12/golden-globe-nominations-2024-1235660995/ |title=Golden Globe Nominations: 'Barbie', 'Oppenheimer' Top Movie List; 'Succession' Leads Way in TV |last1=Hipes |first1=Patrick |last2=Andreeva |first2=Nellie |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=December 11, 2023 |access-date=January 18, 2024 |archive-date=December 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224173714/https://deadline.com/2023/12/golden-globe-nominations-2024-1235660995/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Pedersen |first=Erik |date=January 7, 2024 |title='Oppenheimer' & 'Poor Things' Win Top Movie Prizes At Golden Globes – Complete Winners List |url=https://deadline.com/2024/01/2024-golden-globes-winners-1235697375/ |access-date=January 18, 2024 |website=Deadline Hollywood |archive-date=January 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107232737/https://deadline.com/2024/01/2024-golden-globes-winners-1235697375/ |url-status=live}} At the 29th Critics' Choice Awards, it received 13 nominations, winning for Best Actress.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2023/12/critics-choice-film-nominations-2023-1235665954/ |title=The Critics Choice Is 'Barbie' With 18 CCA Nominations; 'Oppenheimer', 'Poor Things' Follow With 13 Each |last=Hammond |first=Pete |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=December 13, 2023 |access-date=December 13, 2023 |archive-date=December 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215094347/https://deadline.com/2023/12/critics-choice-film-nominations-2023-1235665954/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite magazine |last=Shanfeld |first=Ethan |date=January 15, 2024 |title='Oppenheimer' Leads Critics Choice Awards With 8 Wins, 'Barbie' Scores 6 — Full Winners List |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/critics-choice-awards-2024-winners-list-1235870581/ |access-date=January 19, 2024 |magazine=Variety|archive-date=January 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115001757/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/critics-choice-awards-2024-winners-list-1235870581/ |url-status=live}} It received 11 nominations at the 77th British Academy Film Awards and won 5 awards, including for Best Actress in a Leading Role.{{Cite web |date=January 18, 2024 |title=AwardsWatch – EE BAFTA Nominations: 'Oppenheimer' and 'Poor Things' Lead, 'Saltburn,' 'Maestro,' 'All of Us Strangers' Rise While 'Barbie' Falls |url=https://awardswatch.com/ee-bafta-nominations-oppenheimer-and-poor-things-lead-saltburn-maestro-all-of-us-strangers-rise-while-barbie-falls/ |access-date=January 18, 2024 |website=AwardsWatch |archive-date=January 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118175646/https://awardswatch.com/ee-bafta-nominations-oppenheimer-and-poor-things-lead-saltburn-maestro-all-of-us-strangers-rise-while-barbie-falls/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2024/02/bafta-film-awards-2024-winners-list-1235829754/ |title=BAFTAs: 'Oppenheimer' Named Best Film, Leads Night with 7 wins Including Christopher Nolan Best Director, Cillian Murphy Best Actor; 'Poor Things' Emma Stone Takes Best Actress – Complete Winners List |last=Tartaglione |first=Nancy |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=February 18, 2024 |access-date=March 12, 2024 |archive-date=February 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220204046/https://deadline.com/2024/02/bafta-film-awards-2024-winners-list-1235829754/ |url-status=live }} The American Film Institute and the National Board of Review named Poor Things one of 10 best films of the year.{{Cite magazine|last=Davis|first=Clayton|date=December 7, 2023|title=AFI Awards: 'Barbie' and 'Spider-Verse' Among 10 Best Films, Top TV Shows Include 'Jury Duty' and 'Last of Us'|url=https://variety.com/2023/film/awards/afi-awards-top-10-2023-barbie-spider-verse-maestro-oppenheimer-1235827582/|access-date=December 7, 2023|magazine=Variety|archive-date=December 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231219144041/https://variety.com/2023/film/awards/afi-awards-top-10-2023-barbie-spider-verse-maestro-oppenheimer-1235827582/|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2023/film/awards/national-board-of-review-winners-2023-1235821182/|title='Killers of the Flower Moon' Named Best Picture by National Board of Review, Lily Gladstone and Paul Giamatti Nab Top Acting Honors|magazine=Variety|first=Clayton|last=Davis|date=November 6, 2023|access-date=November 6, 2023|archive-date=December 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208001440/https://variety.com/2023/film/awards/national-board-of-review-winners-2023-1235821182/|url-status=live}}

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Cite encyclopedia |year=2024 |title=Poor Things |encyclopedia=The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction |url=https://sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/poor_things |access-date=June 24, 2024 |edition=4th |author1-last=Clute |author1-first=John |author1-link=John Clute |editor1-last=Clute |editor1-first=John |editor1-link=John Clute |editor2-last=Langford |editor2-first=David |editor2-link=David Langford |editor3-last=Sleight |editor3-first=Graham |editor3-link=Graham Sleight}}

{{wikiquote}}

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{{Yorgos Lanthimos}}

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{{BAFTA Award for Best Special Visual Effects}}

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