The surreal world of Yorgos Lanthimos’ Poor Things was created by every member of the talented cast and crew — but the costumes played an especially important part.
In ET’s exclusive sneak peek at the film’s upcoming digital release, star Emma Stone and costume designer Holly Waddington reflect on how the outfits in the film reveal something about each character — particularly Stone’s Bella Baxter, a woman who is brought back to life with a child’s brain and has to relearn her place in Victorian society from a most basic level.
“I was quite fascinated by this discordancy between these period costumes and how would you wear them if you were actually a child — a baby, or a toddler — in these very elegant, grown woman’s clothes. I found that very fascinating,” Waddington explained.
In the film, Bella is often barefoot, which was also a symbolic choice, the costumer explained.
“Like a lot of young children, she may have been dressed in the morning… but has lost most of it by lunchtime,” she shared with a laugh.
For Lanthimos, Bella’s naivete allowed her to be something of a blank canvas for him and the rest of the Poor Things crew — as well as the film’s viewers — to paint their ideas on.
“She’s so unique,” he mused. “It gives you the freedom to think outside the box… Basically, we’re free to experience the film through our contemporary status.”
Stone has been nominated for a Best Actress Oscar for her starring role in the film — having already won equivalent honors at this year’s BAFTAs, Critics Choice Awards and Golden Globes — and she reflected on her multiple fittings for the film, crediting Waddington with adding important context to her character.
“Everything symbolizes something,” the actress said of her onscreen attire, some of which was intentionally styled to look “intestinal.” (There’s even a “vagina blouse!”)
The costumes for the men in the film were also of utmost importance.
“Men were very peacockish in the Victorian age, like, sumptuous, wild. They were into their clothes,” explained Mark Ruffalo, who plays Bella’s debaucherous paramour, Duncan Wedderburn. “We took it to the extreme.”
Jerrod Carmichael plays Harry Astley, a gentleman who introduces Bella to philosophy and aids in her evolution — and he was also suitably impressed with the costumes he got to wear in the Oscar-nominated film.
“Like, I could actually walk down 5th Avenue today and look cool,” the actor and comedian shared with a laugh.
Poor Things will be released on digital on Feb. 27 and on Blu-ray and DVD on March 12.
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