Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Stone's brilliant acting drives bold, very mature dramedy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Poor Things
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 19 parent reviews
Parents say the film is visually stunning but contains explicit content that may be inappropriate for younger viewers, sparking a divide among opinions on its artistic value versus its graphic nature. While some hail it as a unique educational tool for exploring complex themes about female empowerment, many others find its portrayal of sexuality and exploitation deeply disturbing and inappropriate, leading to concerns about its viewing suitability.
- artistic value
- graphic content
- educational themes
- inappropriate for children
- varied opinions
- female empowerment
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 22 kid reviews
Kids say the movie received mixed reviews, with many praising its artistic qualities, cinematography, and performances while expressing disappointment over its heavy use of graphic nudity, sex, and profanity. Some viewers found it a unique and engaging experience, despite the divisive reactions among younger audiences regarding its mature themes and content.
- artistic qualities
- graphic content
- mixed reviews
- strong performances
- mature themes
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Director Yorgos Lanthimos' (The Favourite, The Lobster) adaptation of Alasdair Gray's award-winning 1992 horror novel follows Victorian-era British surgeon/scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter's reanimated creation, Bella Baxter (Emma Stone). With the body of a young woman and the brain of an infant, Bella acts like a quickly developing toddler. Godwin (Willem Dafoe) tasks his surgical student, Max (Ramy Youssef), with observing everything Bella does. And as Bella—who has violent tantrums when she doesn't get what she wants—develops, it's clear that Max is developing feelings for her. But the clever and restless Bella wants freedom, so, despite her engagement to Max, she agrees to run away with Godwin's slick, smarmy attorney, Duncan (Mark Ruffalo), on a trip around Europe, where she begins an epic intellectual and sexual odyssey—learning about geography, philosophy, sexuality, and her purpose in life.
Is It Any Good?
Stone proves once again to be an exemplary muse for Lanthimos' vision, giving a memorable performance as a scientific creation. Lanthimos is the sort of singular director who is difficult to feel indifferent about; his signature style is so over-the-top that you're either along for the ride or determined to ignore his filmography altogether. The director, using a script by The Favourite screenwriter Tony McNamara, wittily blends humor with sex and violence to reveal truths about humanity. There's a distinctively feminist gloss to this "daughter of Frankenstein" story, and a lot is owed to Stone's scenes with her father figure/doctor/God (it's literally his nickname), played by Dafoe, who's always extraordinary when he gives a role—no matter the size—his all. And Ruffalo is surprisingly believable as Bella's egotistical and possessive first lover.
The supporting characters similarly pack a punch in their small-but-mighty roles, particularly the inimitable Kathryn Hunter as a Paris madam, Jerrod Carmichael and legendary German actress Hanna Schygulla as Bella's new vacation friends, and Christopher Abbott as a sadistic military officer. Fans of Lanthimos appreciate his daring, unexpected storytelling, and this passionately made adaptation stays true to the book's themes as seen through his stylistic lens. Costume designer Holly Waddington deserves awards for her work, and the production designers have created a colorful, fantastical setting for Bella's adventures. While this movie is definitely not for kids, it's ideal for prestige-film-loving older teens and adults.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the amount of sex and nudity in Poor Things. Do you think it was necessary to the story? How is sexuality used as a vehicle for character development?
Discuss how issues of gender, sexuality, and class are addressed in the movie. What do you think of Bella as a character? Is she likable? Is she meant to be?
For those familiar with director Yorgos Lanthimos' other films: How does Poor Things stack up? Where would you rank it among his filmography?
What do you think about the more fantastical elements in Bella's journey? How is this a version of the classic Frankenstein story?
Does the movie make you want to read the book by Alasdair Gray that it's based on—or Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, which inspired it?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : March 8, 2024
- Cast : Emma Stone , Mark Ruffalo , Willem Dafoe
- Director : Yorgos Lanthimos
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Fox Searchlight
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : Book Characters , Friendship , History , STEM
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Curiosity , Empathy
- Run time : 141 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong and pervasive sexual content, graphic nudity, disturbing material, gore, and language
- Awards : BAFTA - BAFTA Winner , Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Winner
- Last updated : January 21, 2026
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