Infinity Pool follows a couple that goes to a resort sequestered from a people with unique and mysterious customs. After an incident off the grounds of the resort, the couple soon find themselves entrenched amidst these customs as the husband's grip on his own identity and morality unravel. This film was seen in theaters before the writing of this review, but is now available to rent with $ on several movie streaming services.
Infinity Pool Review
Infinity Pool caused me to reach an unfortunate threshold when it comes to Cronenberg movies...I simply can't get pumped up for them anymore. That isn't to attack the quality and/talent of the filmmakers, but I am beginning to realize that their brand of horror hasn't connected with me viscerally since...well...the one movie David did that I truly loved, the 1986 remake of The Fly.
That isn't to say I have a complete lack of appreciation for his works. I LIKE a ton of David's filmography...Rabid, The Brood, Scanners, eXistenZ, Crimes of the Future...and I have a fascination with the craziness that is Naked Lunch...but I've realized now...do I actually LOVE any of them outside of The Fly? Why am I rushing to the theater to see his movies, let alone is son's which tend to have even thicker stylistic ambiguity? Infinity Pool was the straw that helped me to realize the camel's back may be breaking.
Again, this doesn't mean I can't appreciate the craft...Brandon has gained much of the knowledge and skill of his father while crafting his own vision within his movies. But there is a pacing and obscurity in his storytelling that makes it difficult for me to remain engaged and feel satisfied when the credits roll.
The world-building of the two directors is by far my favorite quality the two produce. Everything Brandon has done to this point, including Infinity Pool, constructs a visceral and rich world that leaves you desperate to know every nook and cranny. Unfortunately, the stories tend to -- intentionally, mind you -- derail into the deconstruction of humanity, and I start to fade as the vagueness ramps up.
Infinity Pool is difficult to discuss in detail without spoiling key plot points that define the storytelling and characters, so I will leave it at this...it's a lot like Possessor in its dreamlike scenes blending with a relatable reality. The satirical elements of humanity's flaws are apparent, but the overarching point feels out of reach. I know what I just watched. I followed along. I felt the characters' progressions. But I still feel lost on the "why".
I think it's safe to say that if you like Brandon's filmography to this point, you'll feel right at home with Infinity Pool. There is an ever-growing market for these stylistic horror films that, while my interest remains in them, I have found myself less and less hyped to see. Infinity Pool was a wakeup call for me that, maybe, this style of film isn't going to tickle me like other forms of horror, no matter how badly I want them to, and that's okay. Infinity Pool, at the end of the day, is a perfect example of appreciating quality filmmaking while understanding that it's not for you.
Horror Qualifier: 7/10
Horror Quality: 6/10 Film Quality: 7/10