‘Infinity Pool’ is a horror mystery set at a beach resort at the fictitious La Tolqa, with James and Em vacationing to aid James in his writing and overcome writers block. Meeting Gabi and Alban, James is soon drawn to the pair and their ventures whilst on the island.
Establishing James and Em at a luxurious resort, but seemingly stuck in a rut, James is drawn to Gabi as she praises the writers unsuccessful debut novel. Venturing beyond the resort, the group enjoy the scenery, with Gabi sexually assaulting James. On their way back, James hits and kills a man with the car, with the group fleeing the scene.
Horrified, James is taken in by the police the following day, where he pays to be duplicated in order to be executed to satisfy the local law and be able to move past the incident. Forced to witness the execution, James is shocked, but intrigued.
Confronted by Gabi thereafter, James meets a group of her compatriots who had also experienced the duplication and execution process, having found it to be exhilarating. Committing more misdeeds and being caught again, Em confronts James and leaves the island.
Stooping ever lower, knowing he can buy his way out of any crimes, James spends time with the group and they eventually enjoy a group execution after committing a break-in. Taking hallucinogenics and being coaxed into killing who James believes to be the police officer to have previously detained him, James beats up a duplicate of himself.
Terrified, James tries to leave the island only to be tracked down and shot by Gabi and the group. Fleeing, James hides out at a local farm where he is nursed back to health. Gabi and the group manage to track him down however, and force James to fight his duplicate, who he beats to death with his bare hands.
In transit to leave the resort the following day, Gabi and the rest of the group discuss errands they have to run as James sits near by, in stunned silence. Unwilling to take off from the island, James returns to the now empty resort that has been closed as the monsoon approaches.
‘Infinity Pool’ paces itself well. The film begins with the suggestion that we will be exploring the emotionally stale and less than happy relationship between Em and James. After the introduction of Gabi and Alban, it feels even more likely that the main focus will center on James straying from his marriage and experience a moral downfall.
Hitting us out of left field, the fantastical element of the story, namely the duplication process, allows for James’ character to degrade at even greater speed. Through fraternizing with Gabi’s rich and bored friends, the film veers towards complete destruction of James’ moral integrity, allowing for the character to explore any and all acts of depravity and crime.
Toying with the idea that the law does not apply to the rich and privileged, ‘Infinity Pool’ seems more concerned with the impression that such a lifestyle leaves on the audience’s conduit – James. After experiencing the execution for the first time, we learn of James’ unusual tastes at the same time that he does, allowing us to live through the downward spiral with him.
Again, after the initial duplication and execution, the film ramps up and doesn’t slow down until the final scene, dragging us, and James, through a bastardization of a good time as the group experience drugs, commit crime and partake in an orgy.
Not quite concerned with making a definitive condemnatory statement on the wealthy being able to escape liability, the film rather argues for the lasting and perhaps even irreconcilable impact that such a lifestyle can have on someone. Deciding to return to the resort after it has closed for the season, James is left unable to move past his experience, unwilling to return to Em and unable to carry on with what had just transpired.
The film provides for a visually rich and stimulating experience. Even though audiences have been trained into expecting saturated and distorted sequences to accompany and illustrate the use of psychedelic substances, the film marries the concept well, particularly when intertwining the fictitious local masks to reflect the corrupt moral fiber of the group of individuals.
A great part of the film’s success is owed to Mia Goth. Portraying Gabi, the actress does well in depicting a predator who masterfully achieves and satisfies her urge to subdue, manipulate and exploit James. Not only managing to physically command James, Goth’s character morphs into an unrecognizable monstrosity, breaking the man’s spirit. The stark contrast that is presented at the end of the film, following the psychotic climax of the film, only speaks volumes to the actress's ability to present a maniac and a regular person in the same breath.
Unyielding after it sets off, ‘Infinity Pool’ can be counted amongst the more thrilling yet hard to watch films, exploring the moral and societal constructs that accompany the lifestyles of those who have abandoned all concern for anyone but themselves and focus solely on the satisfaction of all of their most immediate urges.
‘Infinity Pool’ leaves a lasting impression on what a limitless and unhindered pursuit of a hedonistic life can do to a person. Focusing on the breakdown of James' character, the vacant expression on his face closing out the film definitively expresses the hollow and destructive pursuit of such a life. Adding another successful entry to his filmography, Brandon Cronenberg delivers a further exploration of an individual divorcing themselves of societal norms and stepping away from a regular life, damaging and isolating the character, allowing the audience to explore what keeps us grounded and attached to others.
Score: 4/4
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