Crimes of the Future-2022

Director David Cronenberg

Starring Viggo Mortensen, Léa Seydoux

Scott’s Review #1,295

Reviewed September 2, 2022

Grade: B

Being somewhat familiar with the work of director David Cronenberg and the macabre and unsettling elements he incorporates into his films, I had a fair idea of what type of experience I was in for.

There was anticipation as I slipped the Blu-ray of Crimes of the Future (2022) into the player.

He’s responsible for such peculiar pleasures as Eastern Promises (2007), an annual Christmas time watch for my husband and me, and A History of Violence (2005) a gangster-flavored effort.

Cronenberg frequently teeters between psychological horror and science fiction, though he has dabbled in other genres.

Stalwart actor Viggo Mortensen once again graces the screen in one of Cronenberg’s films and leads the charge as the main protagonist in Crimes of the Future.

Visually, the film is astounding with creepy shapes and visceral red images floating about, mainly in the opening credits. It’s riddled with a subdued and mellow mood, taking its time to get going and allowing for somber tones and textures.

It’s a challenging and weird watch, but somehow slowly lures the viewer into its confusing web.

Be warned, though, that the story is inexplicable and impossible to figure out. I even read a post-film synopsis and was still unclear how the puzzle pieces are supposed to come together. But maybe they aren’t.

Crimes of the Future is the type of film that is recommended to be digested and left to ruminate in one’s inner being. The translation is not to overthink the events but rather to enjoy what is being served.

Sometime soon, the human species will have adapted to a new synthetic environment, causing bodies to undergo new transformations and mutations. With his partner, Caprice (Léa Seydoux), Saul Tenser (Mortensen), a celebrity performance artist, publicly showcases the metamorphosis of his organs in avant-garde performances.

In simpler terms, his body is cut open for all to see.

An odd character named Timlin (Kristen Stewart), an investigator from the National Organ Registry, obsessively tracks their movements. A mysterious group exists with a mission to use Saul’s notoriety to shed light on the next phase of human evolution.

The summary is tough to write and even more challenging to explain so that I won’t waste space on it. I’ll leave it to say that the above is the best that can be presented, and that only a fascinating story element is present in the events.

Something about science fiction and the future typically evokes mystique and wonder.

I could watch Mortensen in pretty much any film, which is the main reason to see Crimes of the Future. The actor is so keen on choosing just the right roles for himself, and each is so different from the last.

Comparing his recent films, such as Captain Fantastic (2016), Green Book (2018), and Crimes of the Future, reveals that the actor continues to challenge himself by exploring the depth of each character, rather than capitalizing on name recognition to secure a hefty paycheck, like other similarly aged Hollywood actors.

I won’t name names, but Liam Neeson could take a note or two from Mortensen.

Seydoux, a French actress, pairs well with Mortensen. She possesses a sophisticated European vibe that translates well within this distant future. She is sexy, and because of the subject matter, this is crucial to the film’s visual style.

I’m not quite sure what to make of Kristen Stewart as the nutty and nerdy Timlin, but it’s a shocking follow-up to a fabulous portrayal of Princess Diana. As she speaks rapidly with timidity, it’s a particular role, but it’s nice to see Stewart continue to go with edgy roles.

Because it’s Cronenberg, Crimes of the Future (2022) is cerebral and provocative with a fleshy and grim style. I’d expect nothing less from the director, but would have preferred a more cohesive package.

Ultimately, I couldn’t fully grasp the film, which makes it difficult for me to recommend it thoroughly.