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Infinity Pool (R18, 118mins) Directed by Brandon Cronenberg ****
Having tackled celebrity illnesses and brain-implant technology in his previous two features, second-generation horror-meister Brandon (son of David) Cronenberg delivers another visceral slice of sci-fi-infused cinema with this island-set nightmare.
Alexander Skarsgard (The Northman, Succession) plays James Foster, a one-hit novelist struggling to pen a suitable follow-up. Worried that it’s a lack of talent, rather than writer’s block, he’s hoping that a visit to Li Tolqa will spark inspiration.
However, so far it has only worsened his growing marital strife with wife Em (Cleopatra Coleman). So when he encounters self-confessed “fan” Gabi Bauer (Pearl’s Mia Goth), Em is none too impressed by his seemingly willingness to lap up her attentions.
An invitation to dine with Gabi and her husband Alban (Jalil Lespert) is followed by the suggestion of a day trip out of the compound – something the authorities had warned them against because of the area’s high crime rate.
“Maybe a little therapeutic mugging could fix my block,” James jokes.
Renting a local man’s car, they head out into the countryside, where Gabi takes James’ unblocking into her own hands during a day of relaxing.
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Infinity Pool’s writer-director Brandon Cronenberg makes full use of Mia Goth’s ability to light up the screen and unnerve the audience in equal measure.
However, the mood takes a dark turn when James hits something – or someone – on the drive home. “No police,” Gabi warns, “This is not a civilised country. It’s brutal and filthy.”
With even just negotiating their way back into the compound a trial, James has a very physical reaction to all the stress. Unfortunately, his ordeal is only just beginning.
Authorities arrive on their doorstep the next day, James and Em are separated and he is arrested, accused of a man’s death. Worse still, according to Li Tolqa law, the punishment is death at the hands of the victim’s first-born son. Although, there is a way of avoiding such a fate, providing James is willing to part with a large sum of money.
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Infinity Pool may initially seem like a shallow Twilight Zone conceit, but it’s fleshed out by taking a deep dive into some very murky issues of morality that echo the same concerns raised by the likes of The White Lotus and Triangle of Sadness.
What follows is a wild rollercoaster of a tale with all the gloop, moral quandries and searing imagery you’d expect from the Cronenberg family. Skarsgard makes for a suitable “everyman” facing multiple temptations – and a dark night of the soul – but it’s Goth who once again steals the show. Writer-director Cronenberg makes full use of her ability to light up the screen and unnerve the audience in equal measure, Gabi a character who you’re never quite sure what her motives are – or what she’s going to do next.
That uncertainty is heightened by Cronenberg’s use of twisting, turning cameras and Tim Hecker’s (The North Water) unsettling score, which sometimes combine to leave you feeling as dizzily disorientated as Skarsgard’s James.
Arguably a dark take on Michael Keaton’s Multiplicity, Infinity Pool may initially seem like a shallow Twilight Zone conceit, but it’s fleshed out by taking a deep dive into some very murky issues of morality that echo the same concerns raised by the likes of The White Lotus and Triangle of Sadness.
It’s most definitely not for those of weak constitutions – or faint hearts – but it’s also not a movie, once seen, you can easily forget.
Infinity Pool is now available to rent from Neon, iTunes and GooglePlay.
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