NZIFF Film Review: "Crimes of the Future" (2022).

"From the mind of David Cronenberg" comes Crimes of the Future. This science-fiction body horror film written and directed by Cronenberg. As the human species adapts to a synthetic environment, the body undergoes new transformations and mutations. With his partner Caprice, Saul Tenser, celebrity performance artist, publicly showcases the metamorphosis of his organs in avant-garde performances. Timlin, an investigator from the National Organ Registry, obsessively tracks their movements, which is when a mysterious group is revealed… Their mission – to use Saul’s notoriety to shed light on the next phase of human evolution. 

In 2002, the project was in development under the title Painkillers, which explored the world of performance art and took place in an anaesthetized society where pain is the new forbidden pleasure, and surgery and self-mutilation, being performed in public and on camera, have come to be regarded as the new sex. In early 2003, the film was announced and was set to begin production with Nicolas Cage, Cronenberg's first choice for the role, was originally set to star as Tenser. However, Ralph Fiennes replaced Cage after the latter dropped out of the project. It was intended to be shot in Toronto, Canada on a budget of $35 million, and with a scheduled 2006 release date. However, the project never entered production and went into development hell. In a mid-2000s interview, director Cronenberg brushed the project aside, stating that it was not happening and that he had lost interest in making it anyway. However, in February 2021, Viggo Mortensen revealed that he was working on a project with Cronenberg. The film would mark Cronenbergs' first original script since eXistenZ (1999) and his first directorial effort in eight years following Maps to the Stars (2014). By early August, Léa Seydoux, Kristen Stewart, Don McKellar, Scott Speedman, Nadia Litz and Tanaya Beatty. Mortensen wanted to play the part of Wippet, but Cronenberg claims he "harassed" him into playing Tenser, instead. Natalie Portman was initially supposed to play Seydoux's part (who initially was set to play Stewart's role), but she was unable to do the film because of conflicts related to COVID-19. Ultimately, Seydoux replaced Portman and Stewart replaced Seydoux. At the same time, principal photography commenced and wrapped in early September. Filming took place in Athens, Greece. Mortensen suffered quad trauma when struck by a non-participating horse at the American Kentucky Derby and as a result was unable to stand for periods longer then two minutes. This resulted in his character constantly kneeling while giving exposition and monologues.

The film stars Mortensen, Seydoux, Stewart, McKellar, Speedman, Litz and Beatty. Mortensen and Seydoux are perfectly cast as the perverted performance artist couple, and Stewart is wonderfully creepy. Mortensen is still the ideal Cronenberg hero, projecting a personality that is smart, wary and capable of obsessiveness.

The film is a hugely enjoyable SF thriller with a playfulness to its narrative that keeps you well and truly baffled as too where you are. Veers fabulously across several intersections, between body horror, softcore pornography, arthouse drama, and arch satire.

Simon says Crimes of the Future receives:

Also, see my reviews for Maps to the Stars and Nalvany.