Female Sexuality in Poor Things: Examining Complexity and Freedom
By Sexpress Editor Sofia Tinne
I went to see Poor Things quite recently, and I adored the movie from start to finish. It is absolutely insane in all the best ways possible. The fact that it was obviously heavily influenced by Frankenstein then is another plus. Emma Stone could not have played her character better, an absolutely brilliant performance encapsulating such a complex role. Yorgos Lanthimos’s Poor Things, a cinematic rendition of Alasdair Gray’s novel, explores a number of issues, such as power relations, female sexuality, and autonomy. The film, which is set in Victorian Scotland, cleverly combines aspects of comedy, science fiction, and feminist discussions, providing a distinctive viewpoint for analysing the nuances of women’s lives.
Poor Things dir. Yorgos Lanthimos
The movie presents female sexuality as complex and frequently linked to ideas of liberation, control, and manipulation. Emma Stone’s portrayal of Bella Baxter provides a central point for examining these concepts. Bella, who was first portrayed as a submissive and weak character, changes after she is brought to life by the peculiar scientist Dr Godwin Baxter, who is played by Willem Dafoe. Poor Things presents female characters who subvert social norms, hence challenging traditional gender norms. Resurrected as a strong, independent woman, Bella Baxter challenges the subservient and passive roles that were traditionally allocated to women in Victorian society, and the fact that it is set in that specific time really emphasises the importance of female sexuality in a time where it was heavily repressed by society. By taking charge of her life and challenging the current quo, she takes charge of her own future. Poor Things challenges the power dynamics and patriarchal systems that stifle and exploit women. When Emma Stone’s character explores sexual intimacy, she has not yet been corrupted by society and the patriarchy by thinking sex is simply just an act to reproduce (especially in the Victorian era) but it is mainly for pleasure and not only just pleasuring someone else, but making sure that she is taken care of and has reached climax and comfort. She shows that women enjoy and want to have sex just as much as men do.
Dr Godwin Baxter is a representation of the height of patriarchal power in the story; he controls Bella and some of the other female characters. The film emphasises the necessity of feminist resistance and liberation by exposing the underlying cruelty and unfairness of these power dynamics. The movie examines the ties that bind women together as a source of support and strength. Moments of connection and support are provided by Bella’s relationships with other women, including her friendship with Toinette and her interactions with the servant, during difficult times. These connections highlight how crucial it is for women to support one another in a patriarchal culture. Not only to explore sexuality, but even to nurture each other and educate each other. After meeting Toinette, Bella Baxter is shown a world in which she would not have experienced otherwise due to the times in which they lived, where many girls did not attend secondary level education. Girls’ access to formal education was frequently restricted in the early Victorian era. Daughters of middle-class and upper-class households were usually sent to school, although the curriculum was more concerned with social graces, household skills, and basic literacy than with intellectual subjects. The value of education for women became increasingly apparent as the Victorian era went on. For some women, especially those from wealthy households, access to formal education gradually improved with the opening of institutions designed exclusively for girls and the growth of educational options.
These connections highlight how crucial it is for women to support one another in a patriarchal culture. Not only to explore sexuality, but even to nurture each other and educate each other.
Poor Things dir. Yorgos Lanthimos
We see a complete opposite character then, Duncan Wedderburn, who is the pinnacle of toxic masculinity. He is seen as a satirical character which makes his remarks that bit funnier. Exaggerated ideas of masculinity, such as arrogance, entitlement, and aggressive behaviour, are represented by him. Because of his legendary persona, Victorian society’s standards of what it meant to be a “real man” were amplified. The piece satirises and attacks the rigid gender norms and expectations placed on men by exaggerating these stereotypes to ludicrous lengths. Duncan Wedderburn is a man of ineptitude and incompetence despite his social standing and privileged position. rather than proving true ability or merit, he depends on wealth and connections to keep his position. He uses his incapacity as a weapon to keep control over people, especially women, who he perceives as challenges to his supremacy. His obstinate resistance to changing societal norms is indicative of Victorian society’s overall conservatism. By use of Duncan’s persona, the work parodies opposition to advancement and the ridiculousness of holding onto antiquated ideas and viewpoints.
Poor Things dir. Yorgos Lanthimos
Poor Things is fundamentally a narrative about the struggle for freedom, agency, and autonomy against repressive societal systems and cultural conventions. The protagonists negotiate a world full of inconsistencies, complexity, and moral difficulties, ranging from the resourceful and resilient Bella Baxter to the morally questionable Dr Godwin Baxter. The narrative challenges individuals to examine their own presumptions and beliefs by testing ideas of morality, fairness, and freedom through their travels. The novel’s ability to combine humour, tragedy, and satire to produce a narrative that is both emotionally and intellectually compelling is one of its most remarkable accomplishments. The story is given a sense of urgency and relevance by Alasdair Gray’s wit and sharp social criticism, which challenges people to face difficult realities about privilege, power, and the human condition. Both the novel’s and movie’s ability to combine humour, tragedy, and satire to produce a narrative that is both emotionally and intellectually compelling is one of its most remarkable accomplishments. The story is given a sense of urgency and relevance by Alasdair Gray’s wit and sharp social criticism, which challenges people to face difficult realities about privilege, power, and the human condition. It is one of the best movies I have seen in a while, and I applaud Yorgos Lanthimos for beautifully portraying Alasdair Gray’s words onto the screen.
