Name: Infinity Pool
Genre: Horror, Science Fiction, Thriller
Released: 2023-01-27T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: Alexander Skarsgård, Mia Goth, Cleopatra Coleman, Jalil Lespert, Adam Boncz

The opening shot of Infinity Pool lingers on the pristine turquoise water of an isolated resort, the camera gliding over its edge into the vast ocean beyond. It’s a deceptively serene image for Brandon Cronenberg’s 2023 sci-fi horror film, which quickly dives headfirst into the dark underbelly of wealth and moral decay.

The film follows James Foster (Alexander Skarsgård) and his wife Em (Cleopatra Coleman) as they vacation at a luxurious, secluded resort. The initial setup is familiar—think Death by Paradise meets Get Out—but Cronenberg wastes no time in subverting expectations. Guided by the enigmatic Gabi (Mia Goth), James ventures outside the resort’s manicured grounds and stumbles into a world of unrestrained violence and hedonism. The film’s central premise, a zero-tolerance policy for crime where the wealthy can watch themselves die via a virtual reality simulation, is both grotesque and eerily plausible.

Cronenberg’s direction is unflinching in its exploration of the wealthy elite’s detached morality. The film’s most compelling moments come from its unsettling satire, particularly in scenes where James and his peers rationalize their increasingly depraved actions. Skarsgård delivers a standout performance, embodying James’ descent into moral bankruptcy with chilling conviction. His transformation is palpable, from the initial unease to full-blown narcissistic indulgence.

Mia Goth, meanwhile, steals every scene she’s in as Gabi. Her character is a seductive enigma, a catalyst for the film’s darker turns. Goth’s performance is magnetic, oscillating between vulnerability and menace with effortless precision.

The film’s visual style is another standout element. Cronenberg employs a clinical, detached aesthetic that mirrors the emotional detachment of his characters. The contrast between the resort’s pristine beauty and the brutal violence outside its borders is stark and deliberate. The sound design amplifies this dichotomy, with the soothing sounds of the resort giving way to the cacophony of chaos beyond.

However, Infinity Pool isn’t without its flaws. The pacing can feel uneven at times, particularly in the film’s middle act, where the narrative meanders through a series of increasingly grotesque set pieces. While these scenes are undeniably memorable, they occasionally overshadow the film’s more subtle character moments.

The film’s ending, while thematically consistent, feels rushed and underdeveloped. The resolution of James’ arc lacks the nuance and depth that characterized his descent into depravity. This is a missed opportunity to explore the full implications of the film’s central themes.

That said, Infinity Pool is a bold and uncompromising exploration of wealth, morality, and the dehumanizing effects of privilege.