Infinity Pool – A Deep Dive into the Mind of Brandon Cronenberg

Infinity Pool is a mind-bending step into madness starring Alexander Skarsgård and Mia Goth. The latest twisted thriller from the mind of Brandon Cronenberg (and the follow-up to 2020’s Possessor), pushes the boundaries of cinematic monstrosities as we bare witness to some truly shocking visuals. Much of this film unfolds in such ways that some may not expect, but knowing the premise going in will only add to one’s enjoyment. The film beings with a trippy opening sequence that invites audiences into the upside down world that they are about to step into. The droning camera bending itself upside down as it pans across wide shots of the resort sets the tone instantly, and from there we are thwarted into the emotionally testy relationship of James and Em Foster, played by Skarsgård and Coleman. 

James, is a failed writer who’s clearly beat himself down to the point of becoming content with where he is. His tepid responses to his wife about dinner or other resort excursions display signs of a man uninterested with it all, just seemingly going through the motions whilst showing little enthusiasm for what is around him. When he and Em run into Gabi and Alban Bauer (Goth and Jalil Lespert), Cronenberg takes the “hey we saw you from across the bar and really dig your vibe, can we buy you a drink?” concept to the next level. Goth’s Gabi Bauer is immediately an agent of chaos as she seeks to capture the attention of James. It isn’t hard, as he throws himself at her when she shows him a little bit of intrigue into his “little” novel he put out six years ago. For James, that’s all it takes, and as Em says, he’s just happy to have found his fan club. 

The two couples arrange a day trip off the resort, which is against resort rules, but they are rich and can pay their way, so they do. A day out turns into a disaster when James mistakenly commits a very serious crime, and from there the fear and worry about what happens next kicks in. This is when the film really took off, and it is when we truly enter that upside down world of the film. The extent to which James has to go to avoid spending his life in a foreign jail or even being executed is quite extreme, and the film thwarts onto us the psyche of a man who is constantly being tested by those around him to take a leap and become more dominant in his own life. There may be more to Gabi and Alban Bauer than meets the eye, and through the eyes of James, audiences learn that in a multitude of sadistic ways.

The above barely even describes the direction of this film past the opening fifteen minutes or so, and it’s best experienced with that minimal knowledge. Cronenberg excels with his visual ambience and colorful zappy montages that seek to mesmerize the viewer as it distorts the mind of our lead. There are a couple of truly captivating and thrilling sequences in here that stand out including a pretty mad orgy sequence that is overloaded with epileptic visuals and a blaring score that leaves audiences equally in a state of awe and fear. The film highly relies on its loud synths and score that sometimes elevate the film above its script sometimes, and it can be distracting, but when the stars align it works, and that’s when the film really finds its sweet spot. The film loses some of its mojo in its final crawl, as it feels like it wraps up all too quickly, taking our story in directions that seem good on paper but would have benefitted by a more intense experience. 

Casting Skarsgård in this role is such a perfect juxtaposition that amplifies his character’s arc. His machismo is challenged in such a way that viewing his character through the normal anticipation of an Skarsgård role is thrown out the window completely. He isn’t always perfect here but he really makes the most of this role and displays a side of himself that is genuinely different but certainly welcome. Goth shines as well, continuing to prove why she is one of the most unique and fun to watch actresses working today. 

Led by some twisted and surprising performances, Brandon Cronenberg’s Infinity Pool is a surreal experience of violence, sex, and other happenings that the promotional material did a good job of keeping under wraps. At times majorly style over substance, Infinity Pool still offers up a captivating narrative that will leave audiences unsettled, and if you’re a sicko, probably satisfied as well.

*still courtesy of Neon*

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Brennan Dubé

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