Film auteur David Cronenberg is back at last with his newest sexy body horror, Crimes of the Future, which was arguably the most anticipated film premiering at the Cannes Film Festival this year. Along with his partner Caprice (Léa Seydoux), Saul Tenser (Viggo Mortensen), celebrity performance artist, showcases the metamorphosis of his organs in avant-garde performances.

Seydoux, Mortensen, and Kristen Stewart were perfectly cast in each of their roles, where Seydoux exudes sensuality, Mortensen supplies the necessary grittiness for Saul that nicely contrasts with Caprice, and Stewart’s skittishness adds to the unnerving atmosphere that refuses to ever let up. All of the performances here are absolute knock-outs, and alongside them the effects impressively bring to life the many interesting ideas and inventions introduced throughout the film. The destruction and rebirth of bodies is elegant and artfully showcased.

Despite most of this dark, but beautiful world being kept ambiguous, there remains far too much exposition and addition of subplots that seem as though they’re going to amount to a more satisfying payoff, but ultimately don’t add much to the story or the characters, which make them feel quite lacking. As far as gore is concerned, it’s very mild in comparison to what was teased prior to the film’s release. When the credits roll, it comes as a shock, and not necessarily in a good way. After all the build up, just when you think we’re finally going to dive deeper, it simply ends, leaving much to be desired.

Surgery is the new sex in Cronenberg’s Crimes of the Future, a patient and gorgeous examination of human nature and our fascination with the two constants in our lives: sex and death, but is frustratingly incomplete and would have benefitted greatly from the addition of more exploration at the end.

RATING: 3/5

INFORMATION

CAST: Viggo Mortensen, Léa Seydoux, Kristen Stewart

DIRECTOR: David Cronenberg

WRITER: David Cronenberg

SYNOPSIS: With his partner Caprice, Saul Tenser, celebrity performance artist, showcases the metamorphosis of his organs in avant-garde performances.