Many horror movies draw viewers in with unique concepts that have audiences thinking days after watching. Lately, modern horror has put an emphasis on the female psyche, bringing the revival of seductress and femme fatale trope back to terrify men and empower women. No actress embodies feminine rage and terror more than Mia Goth, and the modern scream queen has returned with another wacky horror film, “Infinity Pool.”
The film follows James (Alexander Skarsgard) and Em (Cleopatra Coleman) as they travel to an isolated island resort, expecting an aesthetic trip filled with impeccable staff service to soothe their rocky marriage. Instead of an island paradise, James finds himself drawn to seductive and mysterious Gabi (Mia Goth) as she causes strife within his marriage and introduces the couple to a culture of eroticism and extreme violence.The film follows James (Alexander Skarsgard) and Em (Cleopatra Coleman) as they travel to an isolated island resort, expecting an aesthetic trip filled with impeccable staff service to soothe their rocky marriage. Instead of an island paradise, James finds himself drawn to seductive and mysterious Gabi (Mia Goth) as she causes strife within his marriage and introduces the couple to a culture of eroticism and extreme violence.
The original appeal of the film derives from the vagueness of the movie’s marketing. Several trailers included Mia Goth waving a gun around, letting out a haunting scream, but that is all it takes to get horror fans running to the theatres. She remains an utter screen stealer, capturing a deranged nature that perfectly sets the tone of how insane life outside of the island resort is. Goth oozes a type of sex appeal that is simultaneously enticing and grotesque, making the audience feel as unsafe and confused as James and Em.
The dynamics between the characters are so jarring and unsettling, making it difficult to tear your eyes way from the screen. Skarsgard is known for his “alpha man” roles, and Goth’s dominance forces Skarsgard into a version of himself we have never seen. His character is submissive and small, and the director focuses on the fragility of the male ego and how insecurity can be terrifying without the addition of gore.
The film prioritizes shock value over plot, and even seasoned horror fans should beware. Vomit, human excrement and even more bodily fluids are very present in the movie. At times the orgies and sex fueled nightmares seem unnecessary or a ploy for the audience members to forget that the storylines didn’t truly matter. The director made the film a psychedelic fever dream, and it was nice just basking in the ridiculousness of it all. Yes, plot matters, but watching Goth chug brandy and eat a bucket of fried chicken on top of a convertible provides a simpler layer of depraved enjoyment.
“Infinity Pool” is a combination of the strangest episode of “the White Lotus” with the bizarre grotesqueness of “Misery,” and while the plot progression remains blurry, the film is powerful enough to leave viewers feeling delightfully ill.