Of all the films I've seen this year, it's the one that kind of fell through the cracks that has been on my mind. 'Crimes of the Future' is the latest from David Cronenberg which I didn't really connect with when I first saw it in the theater. As time goes on, it has been the film I've been ruminating on the most.
There is something about the way Cronenberg explores, in this case, the way technology is currently and in the future will continue to change the way we function as human beings that is inherently fascinating. Our genetic and organic physical structure modified in nightmarish ways; what we consume; how we fornicate and how we die. With 'Crimes of the Future' he combines this with the transformative disease motif that he has utilized before (most notably in 'The Fly') along with his concepts of the beautiful mutations that occur within the human body ('Dead Ringers'). Add some ritualistic physiological modification through violence ('Crash') and the adaptive sexual fetishism that is present in all his work, to complete the mixture.
In many ways 'Crimes of the Future' is the spiritual cousin to 'Existenz,' both films share many of the same bold concepts of sentient machinery joining human flesh to birth some kind of new evolutionary creation. They also share many of the same flaws but David Cronenberg is such a craftsman that it is easy to take him for granted. 'Crimes of the Future' may falter in the world building and the story is unfocused. There is a whole murder mystery plot that I'm not sure is even resolved and the ending is abrupt. That said, it is hard to argue that his influence has not been felt, with recent films like 'Titane' directed by Julia Ducournau and his own son Brandon's 'Possessor' excellent examples of entries into the "body horror" genre.
I wouldn't say 'Crimes of the Future' is the best movie of the year and it's doubtful that it will receive much awards love. To be fair, the story functions best if you've never seen a Cronenberg film before, so steeped in his themes as it is. However, the film remains deeply thought provoking and will hopefully prompt a new generation of younger viewers to a discover the rich body of work by a distinctive and important cinematic voice. 7/10.
There is something about the way Cronenberg explores, in this case, the way technology is currently and in the future will continue to change the way we function as human beings that is inherently fascinating. Our genetic and organic physical structure modified in nightmarish ways; what we consume; how we fornicate and how we die. With 'Crimes of the Future' he combines this with the transformative disease motif that he has utilized before (most notably in 'The Fly') along with his concepts of the beautiful mutations that occur within the human body ('Dead Ringers'). Add some ritualistic physiological modification through violence ('Crash') and the adaptive sexual fetishism that is present in all his work, to complete the mixture.
In many ways 'Crimes of the Future' is the spiritual cousin to 'Existenz,' both films share many of the same bold concepts of sentient machinery joining human flesh to birth some kind of new evolutionary creation. They also share many of the same flaws but David Cronenberg is such a craftsman that it is easy to take him for granted. 'Crimes of the Future' may falter in the world building and the story is unfocused. There is a whole murder mystery plot that I'm not sure is even resolved and the ending is abrupt. That said, it is hard to argue that his influence has not been felt, with recent films like 'Titane' directed by Julia Ducournau and his own son Brandon's 'Possessor' excellent examples of entries into the "body horror" genre.
I wouldn't say 'Crimes of the Future' is the best movie of the year and it's doubtful that it will receive much awards love. To be fair, the story functions best if you've never seen a Cronenberg film before, so steeped in his themes as it is. However, the film remains deeply thought provoking and will hopefully prompt a new generation of younger viewers to a discover the rich body of work by a distinctive and important cinematic voice. 7/10.