Apart from all the quite asymmetric script, directing and acting. I found this trying to be more arthouse, Indy, cult before it had even completed thinking of telling a story. A vanity project by Stone perhaps as I understand this is her baby.
All else aside. It seems that it's a populist type film in that it's trendy to enjoy because of its star cast. Defoe is marvellous in his eccentric gothic quirk mode. Does a decent Scottish accent too) .Stone as Bella does a great job too. Oscar worthy? I disagree. She just about nails the English accent ( Scottish may have been too much of a stretch) but as far as stretching her acting skills? Mark Ruffalo is poor. His strange English/British non descript accent is laughable and lazy. The role could have been bettered by a British actor. The cinematography and visual effects are excellent. The speed of the film is never intended to speed along, so it becomes intense. It's a gothic horror, not a comedy. It's very European in style. American audiences would not get it. There are far better films of 2023 that won't get the attention or trend as this will. Shame, as a Scot I was hoping for a real wow.
All else aside. It seems that it's a populist type film in that it's trendy to enjoy because of its star cast. Defoe is marvellous in his eccentric gothic quirk mode. Does a decent Scottish accent too) .Stone as Bella does a great job too. Oscar worthy? I disagree. She just about nails the English accent ( Scottish may have been too much of a stretch) but as far as stretching her acting skills? Mark Ruffalo is poor. His strange English/British non descript accent is laughable and lazy. The role could have been bettered by a British actor. The cinematography and visual effects are excellent. The speed of the film is never intended to speed along, so it becomes intense. It's a gothic horror, not a comedy. It's very European in style. American audiences would not get it. There are far better films of 2023 that won't get the attention or trend as this will. Shame, as a Scot I was hoping for a real wow.