Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
September 27, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Screen & Stage • Film

Poor Things

Poor Things is a 2023 fantasy comedy-drama film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and written by Tony McNamara, based on the 1992 novel by Alasdair Gray.

Updated September 27, 20261 min readCited sources

Poor Things is a 2023 fantasy comedy-drama directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, starring Emma Stone as a woman revived from the dead who embarks on a journey of self-discovery.

What it is

The film follows Bella Baxter, a young woman brought back to life by eccentric scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe). Set in a surreal Victorian world, she escapes her sheltered existence and travels across continents, exploring freedom, identity, and social norms. The story is adapted from Alasdair Gray’s 1992 novel of the same name.

Key details

Emma Stone plays Bella Baxter, with Mark Ruffalo as Duncan Wedderburn and Willem Dafoe as Godwin Baxter. The screenplay was written by Tony McNamara. The film was released on December 8, 2023, and is a co-production between Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Reception and awards

Critical response was broadly strong. Rotten Tomatoes reported a 92% positive rating among critics, who praised its visual style and performances. The film earned major awards attention, including Emma Stone winning the Academy Award for Best Actress.

In short

  • Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, based on Alasdair Gray’s 1992 novel.
  • Emma Stone stars as Bella Baxter, a revived woman on a journey of self-discovery.
  • Released December 8, 2023, with a 92% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
  • Emma Stone won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role.

Quick questions

Who is in the cast of Poor Things?
The main cast includes Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe, Ramy Youssef, Christopher Abbott, Jerrod Carmichael, Kathryn Hunter, Margaret Qualley, and Vicki Pepperdine.
What is the plot of Poor Things?
It follows Bella Baxter, a woman revived by scientist Godwin Baxter, as she explores the world and learns to define her own freedom and identity.
Is Poor Things based on a book?
Yes. It is based on the 1992 novel Poor Things by Alasdair Gray.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poor_Things_(film)
    Supports: basic film facts, cast, plot summary, source novel, and Rotten Tomatoes critic score
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/poor_things/cast-and-crew
    Supports: director, release date, cast, and plot description
  3. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Poor-Things-film
    Supports: director, premise, and awards recognition
  4. The Movie Database — https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/792307-poor-things?language=en-US
    Supports: release status, cast, and premise