Infinity Pool (2023) spoiler free review
The latest Brandon Cronenberg feature is an unsettling, bizarre, and boundary breaker experience. Infinity Pool is a science fiction horror film written and directed by Cronenberg. The film premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival on January 22, 2023 and was theatrically released in the US and Canada on January 27, 2023.
James and Em Foster are enjoying an all-inclusive beach vacation in the fictional island of La Tolqa, when a fatal accident exposes the resort’s perverse subculture of hedonistic tourism, reckless violence and surreal horrors.
Film synopsis
For its US release Infinity Pool received a NC-17 rating from the Motion Picture Association (MPA). After appealing and the rating remaining upheld the film had to be re-edited to achieve an R rating. The cast includes Alexander Skarsgård (The Legend of Tarzan, The Northman) as James Foster, Cleopatra Coleman (Dopesick) as Em Foster, Mia Goth (X, Pearl) as Gabi Bauer, Adam Boncz (Shadow and Bone) as Ketch, and Thomas Kretschmann (King Kong) as Detective Thresh.
My opinion
Infinity Pool proves that the phrase “like father like son” applies to the Cronenberg family. Just like his father did in the past, Brandon Cronenberg pushes the audience boundaries to the limit with unsettling body horror and visuals that will leave them severely disturbed. Saying that I feel the need to disclose that this film is not for everyone. After receiving mostly positive reviews by the critics the general audience has a different perspective and opinion.
While the film has a strong cast, perfect soundtrack, ideal setting, and gruesome body horror the weak link is the plot. Is not difficult to feel that Infinity Pool is trying too hard to provoke a shock factor turning the narrative confusing, and for some, boring. Alexander Skarsgård performance shouldn’t be overlooked, he is the real star of this madhouse. The Cronenberg staple is present making the outcome of this film not surprising. Infinity Pool is now available in movie theaters.