Stick with it! This film comes from such a weird place that it’s off-putting at first, but by the end it’s captivating. After a pregnant woman (Emma Stone) attempts suicide, she’s brought back to life with the transplanted brain of her baby (thanks to the disfigured scientist played by Willem Dafoe). Her new life begins with the awkward body movements and mental capacity of a child, but her ability and awareness evolves, which leads her on adventures with a lawyer (Mark Ruffalo continually providing the film’s best comic moments). This includes plentiful, awkward sexual encounters. Director Yorgos Lanthimos eschews traditional cinematic tropes to create absurd scenarios and peculiar characters. The production design and costumes are visual treats with delightful whimsical elements. Then there’s the eerie, sometimes obnoxious “music.” As the pivotal character becomes more enlightened and intelligent, so does the filmmaker’s narrative. Ultimately, this dark comedy has a message of personal freedom, but it’s much more about Lanthimos’ stylized cinematic fantasies that will either delight or disgust. 
(4.5 / 5)