Emma Stone has already taken home a suite of awards for her latest film, Poor Things, and has now received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. 

The film, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos (The Favourite, The Lobster) and written by Tony McNamara, premiered in September 2023 at the Venice Film Festival to rapid critical acclaim. 

A science fantasy meets comedy, Poor Things is about how women interact with the world and the horrors that come their way. Emma Stone’s wacky character Bella and her liberating sex scenes could just be what you’re waiting for.

Here’s everything you need to know about the box office hit, including the plot, cast details, and where to watch Poor Things in New Zealand. 

Stream Poor Things now on Disney+ with a mth-to-mth no lock-in contract. Subscribe here.  

Everything you need to know about Poor Things

What is the plot of Poor Things? 

Poor Things is an exploration of feminine self-discovery and is based on a 1992 novel of the same name. 

The storyline is a seemingly bizarre tale of a young Victorian-era woman who dies and is essentially ‘Frankensteined’ by a brilliant doctor, Dr. Godwin Baxter. 

The brain of the woman’s unborn child is placed in her body, creating a new child-in-a-woman’s-body named Bella Baxter. 

While she starts off naïve, Bella embarks on a journey of self-expression and debauchery, eloping with a lawyer and travelling across Europe, learning to enjoy her sexual liberation in the typically repressed 1800s. 

Bella discovers that fundamental pleasures — sex, dancing, relationships — are controlled by the long arms of patriarchy and capitalism. She finds that where men are permitted (nay, encouraged) to act on instincts of mind, body, and feeling, a woman’s existence is bound by some confusing rules.  

Who stars in Poor Things?  

Poor Things features a series of big names, including Emma Stone (La La Land, Cruella), Mark Ruffalo (Now You See Me), Willem Dafoe (Spider-Man), Christopher Abbott (Sanctuary), Suzy Bemba (Kandisha, Drift), and comedians Jerrod Carmichael and Ramy Youssef. 

Is Poor Things based on a book?

The sci-fi film is based on the award-winning book Poor Things by author Alasdair Gray.

Purchase the Poor Things book, e-book or audiobook at Amazon. 

Where can I watch the Poor Things trailer?

Watch the official trailer for Poor Things below. 

Where can I watch Poor Things in New Zealand?  

Stream Poor Things now on Disney+ with a mth-to-mth no lock-in contract. Subscribe here.