Poor Things Ending Explained, Plot, Cast, Release Date and More

Poor thing

Poor Things is a 2023 black comedy film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and written by Tony McNamara. The film stars Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe, Rami Youssef, Christopher Abbott and Jerrod Carmichael, and is based on the 1992 novel by Alasdair Gray.

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The story revolves around Bella Baxter, a young woman in Victorian London who commits suicide and is resurrected by a scientist. Bella then embarks on a journey of self-discovery and sexual liberation. The film premiered at the 80th Venice International Film Festival on September 1, 2023, and won the prestigious Golden Lion Award.

The film was subsequently released in the United States on December 8, 2023, and in Ireland and the United Kingdom on January 12, 2024 by Searchlight Pictures. Poor Things was named one of the top ten films of 2023 by the American Film Institute and the National Board of Review, and grossed $51 million worldwide.

The film received 11 nominations at the 77th British Academy Film Awards and the 96th Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Picture. In addition, it won the Golden Globe Awards for Best Picture (Musical or Comedy) and Best Actress (Musical or Comedy), with Emma Stone winning.

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The ending of the pitiful thing explained

Poor Things ends with Emma Stone’s Bella Baxter finding an unconventional happily ever after. After escaping Alfie Blessington’s control and rejecting Max at their wedding, Bella returns home. Together with the late scientist who created her, Godwin, Bella conducts her first experiment by swapping Alfie’s brain with that of a goat.

Bella, who lives on the Godwin estate with Max, Felicity (the subject of Godwin’s experiments), and her friend Toinette, embraces her newfound freedom. Bella decides to become a doctor, symbolizing her desire to have a positive impact on the world and continue Godwin’s work.

The film explores Godwin’s complex motivations for creating Bella, which was driven not only by scientific curiosity but also by loneliness and a need for companionship. The storyline deviates from Alasdair Gray’s original novel, introducing key changes while retaining the core narrative.

A satirical response to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Wretched Thing delves into themes of survival, mortality, feminism, and identity. Bella’s experiences as a woman navigating a society where men try to manipulate her add depth to the film’s exploration of social norms and inequality. Ultimately, Wretched Thing offers a unique and thought-provoking conclusion to Bella’s journey.

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Poor Thing Release Date

Poor Things premiered at the 80th Venice International Film Festival on September 1, 2023, and was shown at other film festivals including Telluride, New York, London, Busan, and Sitges. The film was released in limited release in the United States by Searchlight Pictures on December 8, 2023, followed by a wide release on January 19, 2024.

The film was released in the United Kingdom and Ireland on January 12, 2024. The film was originally scheduled to be released on September 8, 2023, but due to the 2023 Screen Actors Guild and Television and Radio Artists Guild strike, the release date was postponed to December. During the film festival, “Poor Thing” has received attention and praise, and people are looking forward to its official release.

The delayed release allowed the film to successfully navigate the challenges associated with the strike and ensure that a wide audience was able to enjoy the unique and entertaining story presented by director Yorgos Lanthimos and his talented cast.

Poor Thing Plot

In Victorian London, medical student Max works with eccentric surgeon Godwin Baxter and falls in love with Godwin’s ward Bella, who jumps off a bridge to her death after becoming pregnant. Godwin restores her innocence by placing the brain of her unborn baby inside her.

Max proposes and Bella agrees, but as she gets smarter, she wants to explore the world. She elopes with lawyer Duncan and begins a journey that includes Lisbon, a cruise ship, and Paris. In Marseille, Bella works in a brothel after leaving Duncan. She befriends Toinette and learns about socialism.

Meanwhile, Godwin is ill and asks Max to find Bella. Max finds her in London and Bella reconciles with Godwin and plans to marry Max. However, at the wedding, they are interrupted by Duncan and General Blessington. Blessington claims Bella, also known as Victoria, as his wife.

Bella, curious about her past, discovers Blessington’s violent nature and flees from him. Blessington traps Bella in his mansion, threatening her. She resists, and he shoots himself. Godwin dies peacefully. Bella, Max, and Toinette decide to continue Godwin’s work. Bella performs an experiment on Blessington, transplanting the brain of a goat into his head.

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Poor thing cast

Throw

Features

Emma Stone

Bella Baxter/Victoria Blessington

Mark Ruffalo

Duncan Wedderburn

Willem Dafoe

Dr. Godwin “God” Baxter

Ramy Youssef

Max McCandless

Christopher Abbott

Alfie Blessington

Katherine Hunter

Mrs. Sweeney

Jerrod Carmichael

Harry Astley

Hannah Schygulla

Martha von Kurzlok

Margaret Qualley

Felicity

Vicky Pepperdine

Ms. Prim

Susi Bemba [fr]

Toinette

Keely Forsyth

Maid Alison

John Locke

David Butler

Kate Hanford

Cat

Owen Goode

Gerald

Damien Bonnard

Father

Tom Stoughton

housekeeper

Wayne Brett

priest

Camino

Fado singing woman

Jeskin Fendrix

Lisbon Restaurant Musicians

Where to watch poor thing

As of now, the film is available to watch in theaters or via digital purchase, but for those eagerly awaiting its streaming release, staying tuned to Disney+ in the UK and Hulu in the U.S. is your best bet. The film is not currently available on Netflix.

Poor Thing is now showing in US cinemas and in UK cinemas from 12 January 2024. Poor Thing was announced in February 2021. Director Lanthimos is delighted to be working with actress Emma Stone again as they have great trust in each other. Stone spoke about how making Poor Thing was different from The Favourite, another film they worked on together.

This time, Stone not only acted, but also participated in the production of the film. She found it interesting to be involved in all aspects of film production, such as selecting actors and other important team members. Stone was really involved, especially because they started during the epidemic. Since they couldn’t travel, they had to stay in one place to do a lot of work, such as casting.

Poor Thing trailer

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