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Movie Review: ‘Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire’
Sofia Boutella stars as Kora, the reluctant hero from a peaceful colony who is about to find she’s her people’s last hope, in Zack Snyder’s ‘Rebel Moon.’ Cr. Clay Enos/Netflix © 2023.

In theaters for a limited release on December 15th before premiering on Netflix December 21st, ‘Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire’ is the latest slab of sci-fi action from genre specialist Zack Snyder, who is following up ‘Army of the Dead’ with another team movie that follows some very familiar concepts and character types.

It is in no way surprising that this began life as a pitch Snyder presented to Lucasfilm way back in the days before Disney snapped it up. That Kathleen Kennedy passed on his side story set in that galaxy far, far is both good and bad news, and particularly positive if you’re a fan of the director’s distinctive visuals and action sense, as it’s full of both.

Should you head to ‘Rebel Moon’?

Sofia Boutella as Kora in ‘Rebel Moon.’ Photo: Clay Enos/Netflix © 2023.

How you react to the movie might depend on what you’re looking for going in –– if you’re after a sweeping sci-fi epic full of scrappy underdogs looking to battle a powerful empire that is cracking down on any hint of rebellion well… if you’ve also watched ‘Star Wars’ than this might be a solid second choice.

Perhaps the biggest issue with the movie might be that despite all the unfamiliar names for words and characters, it all feels very… done before. Opening on a giant, lurking space vessel and then panning down to a planet where someone is engaged in farm work feels less like crafting a homage to George Lucas (who, let’s not forget, borrowed liberally to create his own space opera) and more like cribbing from his homework. And not just Lucas –– there are elements that you’ll recognize from the likes of ‘Serenity’, ‘Blade Runner’, ‘Terminator’ and many, many more.

Yet with its own mythology to build and some compelling sequences, ‘Rebel Moon’ does find the confidence to stand on its own, even if what remains is not as memorable as some of the classics it is referencing.

‘Rebel Moon’: Script and Direction

(L to R) Director/writer/producer Zack Snyder, Michiel Huisman as Gunnar and Sofia Boutella as Kora on the set of ‘Rebel Moon.’ Cr. Clay Enos/Netflix © 2023.

Snyder, who has been letting this one cook in the back of his head for years, finally got cracking on it with regular collaborators Shay Hatten (‘Army of the Dead’, ‘Day Shift’, ‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum’) and Kurt Johnstad, and they’ve whipped up a mostly entertaining romp through the stars. Using the ‘Seven Samurai’ mold of oppressed people looking to secure the services of warriors who will fight an oncoming enemy for them, they’ve built out the story of Kora in such a way that it feels like they were all considering other spin-offs and stories ahead of actually making this one tick over.

Still, in its defense, ‘Part One’ does at least tell a complete story before the inevitable cliffhanger setting up the next movie and does so in a less outwardly annoying fashion than some recent Marvel and DC entries.

The characters are decently drawn, even if none of them feel truly original –– a fighter with a troubled past, a rogue with his own agenda, a disgraced royal with some serious animal wrangling skills… they’re all versions of something that has gone before. Ditto the overarching mythology, which tells the story of a kingdom which loses its monarch and sees the power vacuum filled by a grasping, cunning Regent (played, albeit briefly so far, by Fra Fee).

Snyder as director indulges in every stylised trick for which he’s become known –– if you enjoy his ramped-up, slow-motion, quick-cut action sequences, there is plenty of it on display here, all shot in the cloudy/chome-y sepia-toned way he favors.

Related Article: Director Zack Snyder Details Plans of Different Cuts for Sci-Fi Adventure ‘Rebel Moon’

‘Rebel Moon’: Performances

(L to R) Doona Bae as Nemesis, Ray Fisher as Bloodaxe, Staz Nair as Tarak, Michiel Huisman as Gunnar, Sofia Boutella as Kora, Charlie Hunnam as Kai, E. Duffy as Milius and Djimon Hounsou as Titus in ‘Rebel Moon.’ Photo: Clay Enos/Netflix © 2023.

The movie assembles a solid cast but doesn’t always quite give them enough to do beyond basic archetypes. Sofia Boutella’s Kora is the focus in the early going, and she’s more than up to the task of playing this recognizable central figure who has some dark notes in her past.

As for the rest, they’re a mixed bag: Charlie Hunnam sports a perhaps ill-judged Irish (space-Irish?) accent as the roguish Kai, who initially helps her look for the others who will help fight back when the forces of the Motherworld (read: Empire) threaten the peaceful community she’s trying to make a new start in. Michiel Huisman has some charm as the naïve farmer who is in over his head, while mostly everyone else gets their action-packed introduction or moment to shine later when the baddies led by Ed Skrein’s Admiral finally track them down.

‘Rebel Moon’: Final Thoughts

(L to R) Jimmy (Performed by Dustin Ceithamer/Voiced by Anthony Hopkins) and Charlotte Maggi as Sam in ‘Rebel Moon.’ Cr. Netflix ©2023.

For both good and ill, ‘Rebel Moon’ is Zack Snyder on full blast. If this one leaves you craving more, don’t forget that Part Two, subtitled ‘The Scargiver’, will be on Netflix on April 19th.

While the writer/director is in genre magpie mode, borrowing a little from other (often better) movies and stories, the whole doesn’t completely equal the sum of its parts. It’s at least a visually interesting, rousing sci-fi adventure.

‘Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire’ receives 7 out of 10 stars.
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What’s the story of ‘Rebel Moon?

After crash landing on a moon in the furthest reaches of the universe, Kora (Sofia Boutella), a stranger with a mysterious past, begins a new life among a peaceful settlement of farmers. But she soon becomes their only hope for survival when the tyrannical Regent Balisarius (Fra Fee) and his cruel emissary, Admiral Noble (Ed Skrein), discover the farmers have unwittingly sold their crops to the Bloodaxes (Cleopatra Coleman and Ray Fisher) — leaders of a fierce group of insurgents hunted by the Motherworld.

Tasked with finding fighters who would risk their lives to defend the people of Veldt, Kora and Gunnar (Michiel Huisman), a tenderhearted farmer naive in the realities of war, journey to different worlds in search of the Bloodaxes, and assemble a small band of warriors who share a common need for redemption along the way: Kai (Charlie Hunnam), a pilot and gun for hire; General Titus (Djimon Hounsou), a legendary commander; Nemesis (Doona Bae), a master swordswoman; Tarak (Staz Nair), a captive with a regal past; and Milius (E. Duffy), a resistance fighter. Back on Veldt, Jimmy (voiced by Anthony Hopkins), an ancient, mechanized protector hiding in the wings, awakens with a new purpose.

But the newly formed revolutionaries must learn to trust each other and fight as one before the armies of the Motherworld come to destroy them all…

Who else is in ‘Rebel Moon’?

The cast for the movie also includes Corey Stoll, Jena Malone, Cary Elwes and
Stella Grace Fitzgerald.

Director/writer/producer Zack Snyder on the set of ‘Rebel Moon.’ Photo: Clay Enos/Netflix © 2023.

Other Movies Directed By Zack Snyder:
- ‘Dawn of the Dead‘ (2004)
- ‘300‘ (2006)
- ‘Watchmen‘ (2009)
- ‘Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole‘ (2010)
- ‘Sucker Punch‘ (2011)
- ‘Man of Steel‘ (2013)
- ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice‘ (2016)
- ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League‘ (2021)
- ‘Army of the Dead‘ (2021)
Buy Zack Snyder Movies on Amazon
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December 15, 2023
‘Cobweb’ Exclusive Interview: Lizzy Caplan
Lizzy Caplan as Carol in the Horror/Thriller film, ‘Cobweb,’ a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Vlad Cioplea.

Opening exclusively in theaters on July 21st is the new horror thriller ‘Cobweb,’ which was directed by Samuel Bodin, and produced by Seth Rogen (‘Superbad’) and Evan Goldberg (‘This Is the End’).

What is the plot of ‘Cobweb’?

Eight-year-old Peter (Woody Norman) is plagued by a mysterious, constant tap, tap from inside his bedroom wall – a tapping that his parents insist is all in his imagination. As Peter’s fear intensifies, he believes that his parents (Lizzy Caplan and Antony Starr) could be hiding a terrible, dangerous secret and questions their trust. And for a child, what could be more frightening than that?
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Who is in the cast of ‘Cobweb’?

‘Cobweb’ stars recent Emmy-nominee Lizzy Caplan (‘Fleishman Is in Trouble,’ ‘Now You See Me 2’) as Carol, Woody Norman (‘C’mon C’mon’) as Peter, Cleopatra Coleman (‘Infinity Pool’) as Miss Devine, and Antony Starr (‘Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant’) as Mark.

Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Lizzy Caplan about her work on ‘Cobweb,’ the screenplay, her character, working with Woody Norman and Antony Starr, her love for the genre, collaborating with director Samuel Bodin, and taking on her iconic role in Paramount+’s ‘Fatal Attraction.’

Lizzy Caplan as Carol in the Horror/Thriller film, ‘Cobweb,’ a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Vlad Cioplea.

Moviefone: To begin with, what was your first reaction to the screenplay and did the horror elements jump off the page or did you have to find those moments on set?

Lizzy Caplan: I think the sad truth about making horror films is that there’s really nothing scary about it when your boots on the grounds making it so you see all the spit and scotch tape. So that’s one thing that I suppose you sacrifice by being in it, is that it probably won’t be scary to anybody actually involved in the making of the thing. But when I read the script, I thought there was a lot of opportunity to take this to a very odd and weird place, and that was exciting to me. Honestly, the biggest draw was getting to work with Sam, our director, because I was a huge fan of his Netflix show, ‘Marianne,’ which I thought was so scary and so visually unsettling. I was just itching to work with him.

MF: What was your experience like working with director Samuel Bodin and collaborating together on set?

LC: He’s the loveliest. I adore Sam. It was a very unique set in that we shot it in Bulgaria at the height of COVID with a full Bulgarian crew, and Sam is French, so there were many languages being spoken and we somehow managed to make the movie altogether, which I think is one of the most fun ways to do it because you have to rely on different ways to communicate. But they were a great crew and Bulgaria was great.

Director Samuel Bodin of the Horror/Thriller film, ‘Cobweb,’ a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Jun Michael Park.

MF: How would you describe Carol in your own words and what was your approach to playing the character?

LC: I only know what we were doing on set, which got progressively more unhinged with each take. Antony and I were competing for who could make it weirder, and I really hope that some of that strangeness made it into the final cut because that was the most joyful part of making the thing for me. But the parents are the villains until, I guess, maybe there’s more to the story by the end of the film, but it was really exciting to play somebody who you’re not really sure what side she’s on, and if you should be rooting for these parents in any way whatsoever. I like that. I appreciate that gray area.

MF: What was it like working with actor Antony Starr on Carol and Mark’s relationship?

LC: Yes, I think that he was a great partner for this project. I think he’s a spectacular actor and really can go to very dark places while also feeling an underlying mischievous grin beneath it all, and I found that totally fun to work opposite.

(L to R) Lizzy Caplan as Carol and Antony Starr as Mark in the Horror/Thriller film, ‘Cobweb,’ a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Vlad Cioplea.

Related Article: Jessie Eisenberg and Claire Danes Talk FX’s ‘Fleishman Is in Trouble’

MF: Can you talk about Carole and Peter’s over-protective mother and son relationship?

LC: Yes, she’s a very protective mother. That’s a nice way to put it. I do think that her intentions are good and come from a protective and loving place, but they’re clearly a bit misguided. I always think I’m drawn to characters that seem difficult to like and difficult to get behind, and I try to figure out how to make the decisions that they are making feel like the only decisions that character could make, and hopefully while doing that, garner some empathy from the audience. Again, I do believe Carol was just doing the best she could like all mothers. Well, maybe not like all mothers.

MF: Can you talk about working with Woody Norman, and did you have to take any extra precautions working on the violent scenes with such a young actor?

LC: It was really fun to chase that kid around with a knife, I will say. Woody is very talented and he’s got an incredible face. He’s this very special young talent, and he’s got a very cool mom, which doesn’t always happen with young actors, so that probably helps. But yeah, he was fine and he was mature beyond his years. He knows more about music and literature than a lot of people I’ve spoken to who are my age, so I wasn’t too worried about scaring him. I remember after chasing him around a few times, we would always have a laugh after we cut just to make sure he knew I wasn’t actually trying to stab him.

Woody Norman as Peter in the Horror/Thriller film, ‘Cobweb,’ a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Vlad Cioplea.

MF: Is it fun making a horror movie and what do you like about the genre?

LC: Yeah, it is. It’s really fun. I would definitely love to make more horror films. I’m a big fan of them, and it was a blast. There’s a few different sub-genres within the horror umbrella, and they’re the ones that are trying to say something, that are sneaking a message about the culture and society into a story that’s maybe more easily digestible to the masses. So you can introduce really interesting ideas like abuse or addiction, and there are countless examples of those types of horror movies. Then there are just the really fun ones, the popcorn ones that are there for the jump scares, and I think people are drawn to horror movies because we like feeling scared when we know it’s safe to feel scared. As scary as a movie can be, you know that you’re just watching a film and it’s not actually happening, and I think people are really drawn to that. We’re excited by those feelings of fear, especially if we know that it’s not totally real. It’s like roller coasters and horror movies, people love that stuff. So I that we weaved in some subtext about abuse and just familial trauma.

(L to R) Joshua Jackson as Dan Gallagher and Lizzy Caplan as Alex Forrest in ‘Fatal Attraction’ streaming on Paramount+, 2023. Photo Credit: Monty Brinton/Paramount+

MF: Finally, what was it like for you as an actress to take on Glenn Close’s iconic role of Alex Forrest for Paramount+’s ‘Fatal Attraction’ series.

LC: I mean, it was both daunting and very fulfilling and it was the second half of a very strange year where I did ‘Fleishman Is in Trouble’ in the first half and then moved directly into doing ‘Fatal Attraction,’ and I really wanted that challenge to see if I could do two completely different characters that close to each other. I don’t know if I would necessarily want to do it like that again, but the notion that I got to scratch multiple creative itches over the course of one 12 month period is something that I feel very grateful for.

Lizzy Caplan as Carol in the Horror/Thriller film, ‘Cobweb,’ a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Vlad Cioplea.

This interview was accomplished prior to the start of the SAG-AFTRA strike.

Other Movies Similar to ‘Cobweb’:
- ‘Halloween‘ (1978)
- ‘Insidious‘ (2011)
- ‘Insidious: Chapter 2‘ (2013)
- ‘The Conjuring‘ (2013)
- ‘Insidious: Chapter 3‘ (2015)
- ‘The Conjuring 2‘ (2016)
- ‘Halloween‘ (2018)
- ‘Insidious: The Last Key‘ (2018)
- ‘Annabelle Comes Home‘ (2019)
- ‘The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It‘ (2021)
- ‘Halloween Kills‘ (2021)
- ‘Halloween Ends‘ (2022)
- ‘M3GAN‘ (2022)
Buy Tickets: ‘Cobweb’ Movie Showtimes

Buy Lizzy Caplan Movies On Amazon

‘Cobweb’ is produced by Point Grey Pictures, Vertigo Entertainment, and Lionsgate. The movie is scheduled to release in theaters on July 21st, 2023.
July 21, 2023
Zack Snyder Plans “Harder-edged” Cuts Of His ‘Rebel Moon’ Movies
Director/writer/producer Zack Snyder on the set of ‘Rebel Moon.’ Photo: Clay Enos/Netflix © 2023.

A long time ago (well, probably around 2012) in a galaxy far, far away (actually more like Los Angeles), Zack Snyder heard that Disney was buying Lucasfilm and that new ‘Star Wars’ movies were likely. Yet while the director’s pitch for a standalone movie set in the universe of George Lucas’ creations didn’t ultimately click with Kathleen Kennedy and co., he’s now been able to retool the concept into his own sci-fi movie… Or movies, as he’ll explain below.

‘Rebel Moon’ is being produced under Snyder’s big deal with Netflix, set up around the time of zombie thriller ‘Army of the Dead’. It’s an ambitious, ‘Seven Samurai’-style tale of scrappy heroes fighting back against an imposing empire, with more than a few echoes of its original intended destination.

But unlike ‘Star Wars’ more normal family-friendly fare, ‘Rebel Moon’ will have a harder edge, with Snyder planning both an all-audience cut and something he describes as “for fans of mine and people who are ready to take a deeper, harder dive.”

Sofia Boutella as Kora in ‘Rebel Moon.’ Photo: Clay Enos/Netflix © 2023.

What’s the story of ‘Rebel Moon’?

‘Rebel Moon’ focuses on the agricultural moon of Veldt, part of a sprawling galaxy of planets overseen by the ferocious, all-powerful Imperium which oversees the other planets from its home base of Mother World.

When Imperium forces expand out to Veldt’s local area, they target the moon as a potentially rich source of food and new recruits. But the natives, none too happy that their already struggling existence is being threatened, turns to a newcomer, Kora (Sofia Boutella) for help.

The isolated woman, who has her own past with the Imperium, knows that it would be foolish to try and negotiate a better deal with the powerful government, so she rounds up some fighters who could be of use against the might of the enemy. But keeping alliances together won’t be quite so easy…

(L to R) Doona Bae as Nemesis, Ray Fisher as Bloodaxe, Staz Nair as Tarak, Michiel Huisman as Gunnar, Sofia Boutella as Kora, Charlie Hunnam as Kai, E. Duffy as Milius and Djimon Hounsou as Titus in ‘Rebel Moon.’ Photo: Clay Enos/Netflix © 2023.

Related Article: Zack Snyder Making Norse Mythology Anime Series at Netflix

Who else is in ‘Rebel Moon’

Alongside Boutella, the cast also includes Charlie Hunnam, Michiel Huisman, Djimon Hounsou, Staz Nair, Doona Bae, Ray Fisher, Cleopatra Coleman, E. Duffy, Jena Malone, Anthony Hopkins, Fra Fee and Ed Skrein.

Ed Skrein as Atticus Noble in ‘Rebel Moon.’ Photo: Justin Lubin/Netflix © 2023.

Two Movies to Start?

Though Snyder originally wrote one big script for the first movie, the powers that be at Netflix decided that it wouldn’t work as one giant film. So, a change was made…

Says Deborah Snyder, the director’s wife and regular producing partner:

“ Originally, the script was one movie, but it was in ‘Zack form; It was 172 pages. [Netflix film chairman Scott] Stuber was like, ‘On the service, under-two-hour movies really do better for some reason,’ even though you’ll binge-watch a series of eight episodes. Zack said, ‘If you ask me to make this less than two hours, I’m going to lose all the character. You won’t care about these people. It’s a character story about how people can change, and redemption, and what are you willing to fight for…’ So, he said, ‘What if I give you two movies?’”

The first installment of ‘Rebel Moon’ is due to land on Netflix on December 22nd.

(L to R) Director/writer/producer Zack Snyder and producer Deborah Snyder on the set of ‘Rebel Moon.’ Photo: Clay Enos/Netflix © 2023.

Director/writer/producer Zack Snyder on the set of ‘Rebel Moon.’ Photo: Clay Enos/Netflix © 2023.

(L to R) Sofia Boutella as Kora and Djimon Hounsou as Titus in ‘Rebel Moon.’ Photo: Clay Enos/Netflix © 2023.

(L to R) Doona Bae as Nemesis and Michiel Huisman as Gunnar in ‘Rebel Moon.’ Photo: Clay Enos/Netflix © 2023.

Charlie Hunnam as Kai in ‘Rebel Moon.’ Photo: Clay Enos/Netflix © 2023.

Staz Nair as Tarak in ‘Rebel Moon.’ Photo: Chris Strother/Netflix © 2023.

(L to R) Sofia Boutella as Kora and Michiel Huisman as Gunnar in ‘Rebel Moon’. Photo: Chris Strother/Netflix © 2023.

(L to R) E. Duffy as Milius and Staz Nair as Tarak in ‘Rebel Moon.’ Photo: Courtesy of Netflix © 2023.

Ed Skrein as Atticus Noble in ‘Rebel Moon.’ Photo: Chris Strother/Netflix © 2023.

A scene from ‘Rebel Moon.’ Photo: Netflix © 2023.

‘Rebel Moon.’ Photo: Courtesy of Netflix © 2023.

Doona Bae as Nemesis in ‘Rebel Moon.’ Photo: Clay Enos/Netflix © 2023.

Other Movies Directed By Zack Snyder:
- ‘Dawn of the Dead‘ (2004)
- ‘300‘ (2006)
- ‘Watchmen‘ (2009)
- ‘Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole‘ (2010)
- ‘Sucker Punch‘ (2011)
- ‘Man of Steel‘ (2013)
- ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice‘ (2016)
- ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League‘ (2021)
- ‘Army of the Dead‘ (2021)
Buy Zack Snyder Movies on Amazon
June 7, 2023
Movie Review: ‘Infinity Pool’

(L to R) Mia Goth and Alexander Skarsgård star in Brandon Cronenberg’s ‘Infinity Pool.’

‘Infinity Pool,’ which is the new film from writer/director Brandon Cronenberg (‘Antivirus’), the son of legendary filmmaker David Cronenberg (‘The Fly’), opens in theaters on January 27th.

The new erotic-horror-thriller stars Alexander Skarsgård (‘The Northman’) as James Foster, a troubled author enjoying a vacation at a tropical resort with his estranged wife Em (Cleopatra Coleman). Eventually they meet the mysterious Gabi (‘Pearl’s Mia Goth), and her husband Alban (‘Tell No One’s Jalil Lespert), who invite them on a day trip to a private beach outside the resort, which is forbidden by the local government for guests to visit.

After an unfortunate accident leaves James facing a zero tolerance policy for his crime, he discovers an expensive loophole that allows foreign criminals to live as long as they are first cloned, and then witness their own clone’s execution. This leads James to question his own mortality, as well as his marriage, as he experiences violence, hedonism and untold horror with Gabi, Alban, and their wealthy friends.

The result is a truly crazy movie experience that explores themes of mortality and sexuality, while grounding it in the horror genre. Cronenberg’s direction is impressive, but the screenplay falls apart in the third act, and while Alexander Skarsgård gives a strong performance, it is Mia Goth that truly shines and steals the film.

Mia Goth as Gabi in Brandon Cronenberg’s ‘Infinity Pool.’

It’s very hard to know exactly what type of movie ‘Infinity Pool’ is going to be from the first 20 minutes. It starts off very “normal,” never hinting at the sci-fi or horror elements yet to come. In the beginning, it almost seems like a noir film, or that it will turn out to be about an affair, and ultimately a ‘Fatal Attraction’ type thriller. But once the idea of cloning is introduced as an actual thing, you realize that all bets are off as the movie gets stranger and stranger (in a good way) and ultimately is more like an updated ‘Eyes Wide Shut.’

I should have known that the film would go in that direction, and while Brandon Cronenberg introduces elements and themes similar to his father’s movies, the two directors are quite different. I was very impressed with Brandon Cronenberg’s direction, and the unique camera angles and composition of shots that he and his cinematographer, Karim Hussain, crafted. In fact, the film opens on an eerie shot of the resort’s pool and then quickly inverts the landscape. The filmmaker uses this technique throughout the film and it adds to the mood and tone of the movie.

Cronenberg uses other interesting camera and editing techniques during the party scenes where the characters are using hallucinating drugs. Along with the actors performances, this technique really relates the feeling of being under the influence of these drugs and the out-of-control state of mind of the characters for the audience.

In addition to being an erotic thriller and eventually dipping its toes in both the sci-fi and horror genres, the movie also addresses the themes of class and privilege. Other than the film’s more salacious or outrageous moments, this is where the movie’s message works best, when James begins to examine his own privilege and that of the wealthy people he is associating with.

But the film also deals with the idea of, who are we? As its never quite clear if the real James still exists, or if the James we meet at the beginning of the movie was secretly replaced with his own clone each time the “clone” was supposedly killed. Cronenberg navigates this well, never truly giving us an answer, but leaving the clues for the audience to decide themselves. The movie also explores the question of mortality, and what it does to James to repeatedly watch “himself” die.

Cleopatra Coleman as Em in Brandon Cronenberg’s ‘Infinity Pool.’

Cleopatra Coleman is fine in her role as Em, but is not given much to do other than warn and then watch James on his downward spiral. French actor Jalil Lespert is very entertaining as Gabi’s husband, who is an outgoing and funny character. Rounding out the supporting cast is German actor Thomas Kretschmann (‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’) as Detective Thresh, the policeman that arrests James and offers him the cloning deal. The actor completely sells the cloning concept, even though it takes a certain amount of suspended disbelief from the audience to accept in the movie which is otherwise grounded in reality.

Alexander Skarsgård, who is coming off an absolutely excellent performance in last year’s ‘The Northman,’ gives another strong performance in ‘Infinity Pool,’ and helps anchor the film’s believability. The actor, who often plays heroic or “cool” characters marvelously transformed himself into a much meeker man, someone that could easily fall into Gabi’s mental traps. James is having a breakdown, not only in his marriage, but also in his own understanding of who he is as a human being, and it’s fun watching Skarsgård portray that in the movie.

Alexander Skarsgård as James Foster in Brandon Cronenberg’s ‘Infinity Pool.’

But its Mia Goth’s performance as Gabi, that really shines and makes the film worth watching. The actress made a real name for herself last year starring in both of director Ti West’s horror movies ‘X’ and ‘Pearl.’ Again here, Goth gives another performance as a troubled and mysterious woman in what could be considered a horror movie, but her role is so much more complex than that.

She must beguile both James and the audience from her first scene, convincing us to trust her innocent character. Goth’s pleasant demeanor and kind attitude is more than enough to mask her character’s true intentions and the massive threat that she presents. Goth gives a sweet and innocent performance at first, but can more than handle the sudden flip in her character, once Gabi’s true intentions are revealed and she “goes nuclear.”

In the end, ‘Infinity Pool’ is an interesting and thought-provoking film that works on several different levels, but never really pulls it all together. Brandon Cronenberg is an impressive director to keep an eye on, and Alexander Skarsgård gives a performance unlike anything we’ve seen from him before, but it is Mia Goth who makes the movie truly worth watching.

(L to R) Mia Goth and Alexander Skarsgård star in Brandon Cronenberg’s ‘Infinity Pool.’

‘Infinity Pool’ receives 7 out of 10 stars.
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January 31, 2023
‘Infinity Pool’ Interviews: Mia Goth and Alexander Skarsgård

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Opening in theaters on January 27th is the thriller ‘Infinity Pool’ from writer and director Brandon Cronenberg (‘Antiviral’), the son of acclaimed filmmaker David Cronenberg (‘Crimes of the Future’).

The new film stars Alexander Skarsgård (‘The Northman’) and Cleopatra Coleman (‘Dopesick’) as James and Em Foster, a couple enjoying a vacation at a tropical resort. They soon meet the mysterious Gabi (‘Pearl’s Mia Goth) and Alban (‘Tell No One’s Jalil Lespert), who invite them to leave the resort, which is forbidden by the local government.

When a tragic accident leaves them facing a zero tolerance policy for the crime, they discover an expensive loophole that allows them to live as long as they are first cloned, and then watch their clone’s execution, which leads James down a path of violence, hedonism and untold horror.

Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Alexander Skarsgård and Mia Goth about their work on ‘Infinity Pool,’ their first reaction to the screenplay, their approach to playing their challenging characters, and working with writer/director Brandon Cronenberg.

(L to R) Alexander Skarsgård and Mia Goth star in Brandon Cronenberg’s ‘Infinity Pool.’

You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Skarsgård and Goth about ‘Infinity Pool.’

Moviefone: To begin with, Alexander, what was your first reaction to Brandon’s screenplay?

Alexander Skarsgård: My first reaction was, “A movie called ‘Infinity Pool’ set at a resort? Yes, I’ll do it.” Because I read it when I was about five months into ‘The Northman,’ and I was very wet, very cold and bruised on a windy, rainy mountaintop in Ireland. So it sounded like a great idea.

Then when I started reading the script, I was just mesmerized and hooked because it’s so out there. It was so wild, and it was so refreshing to read something so unique. I had seen ‘Antiviral’ and ‘Possessor,’ so I was a big fan of Brandon’s work. So this was a very exciting opportunity.

MF: What was your approach to playing this character and was it challenging getting inside James’ head?

AS: I wouldn’t say challenging, but it was part of the reason I was so attracted to the character, that his journey is extraordinary. To be a character who’s confronted with his own mortality, and in this case, literally face-to-face with his own death. He has to watch his clone get executed, and to psychologically try to understand that, what does that do to a human being, and what does that evoke and trigger in James was really exciting.

Alexander Skarsgård as James Foster in Brandon Cronenberg’s ‘Infinity Pool.’

MF: Mia, can you talk about your approach to playing your character, and why Gabi chooses James? What does she see in him that she’s attracted to?

Mia Goth: My approach to the character, it’s a process. The prep that’s involved, and looking within yourself and turning certain things up and turning other things down, because it’s all really you at the end of the day. You have to find the character within yourself, I think, to make it as honest as possible. So that all comes with the prep.

I think when she’s at the resort and she meets James, this is something that she’s been doing for a very long time, and James is just the latest victim of hers. Actually, I think he’s probably one of the easier victims that she’s had in her experience. I think she just sees a very insecure man who clearly has issues with his wife, and there’s an easy opening there for her to lure him in.

MF: Finally, what was it like working with Brandon Cronenberg, and was there one scene in particular that was really challenging where he gave you some direction that really helped you with that scene?

MG: I’ve been a fan of Brandon’s for a long time. Likewise, I’ve seen ‘Antiviral’ and ‘Possessor,’ and I was a big fan of his work. So I was very excited to be working with him. I found Brandon gave me a lot of space actually on set, and I really like that kind of direction actually, where there are parameters, but it’s pretty wide open. He really just lets you play and discover the character as you like.

I find the directors who micromanage you in such a way, and want you to hit the line at that point and then look in the light when you say that line, it actually just tenses me up. It was just a wonderful experience working with him. I couldn’t pinpoint one direction that Brandon gave me. The entire experience was just incredibly fulfilling.

Mia Goth as Gabi in Brandon Cronenberg’s ‘Infinity Pool.’
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January 26, 2023