Brandon Cronenberg, with just three feature films as writer and director, has carved out a reputation for his daring and distinctive storytelling.
His latest work, Infinity Pool, has drawn widespread acclaim for its daring approach to societal critique and its deeply unsettling finale that ties together its strange and terrifying story elements.
A chilling exploration of cloning and consequence among La Tolqa’s elite (Photo: Infinity Pool/Film Forge Elevation Pictures)A Journey Into Moral Chaos
The narrative follows James Foster, a struggling author portrayed by Alexander Skarsgård, as his life spirals into depravity during a vacation in the fictitious country of La Tolqa.
Among the wealthy elite, James discovers a chilling technology that allows them to evade punishment for their crimes through cloning. Immersed in this corrupt world, he finds himself unraveling, culminating in a shocking and thought-provoking conclusion.
The Climactic Ending of Infinity Pool
The film’s climax takes shape when James awakens in a remote farmhouse after a failed escape from La Tolqa. Outside, he encounters his affluent companions and a restrained, drugged clone of himself dubbed “The Dog.” Gabi, played by Mia Goth, pressures him to kill the clone, urging this act as a symbolic break from his former self.
Refusing, he discards the weapon, but his clone violently attacks him. In self-defense, James kills the clone in a savage outburst. Exhausted, he collapses and finds unsettling comfort in Gabi’s bizarre maternal gesture, nursing from her blood-smeared breast.
The next day, James prepares to leave, contacting his wife Em (Cleopatra Coleman) to arrange his return. With the ashes of his clones packed, he joins his companions in a shuttle.
Their conversation about mundane lives reveals their detachment from the horrors they’ve caused. At the airport, James lingers behind, unable to reconcile with his past, and returns to the resort. Sitting by the pool in the rain, he appears trapped in existential despair, unable to reconnect with his old life.
James’s Haunting and Uncertain Path
James’s journey into darkness begins with the execution of his first clone, where his smile betrays a disturbing transformation. Lured by Gabi’s seduction and the lawless indulgence of La Tolqa’s elite, James finds himself in a world where wealth absolves responsibility. This new reality tempts him but simultaneously highlights his lack of agency and status, exposing him as a pawn for the wealthy.
Manipulated and discarded by Gabi and her group, James learns he was never accepted into their circle. Their mockery and cruelty shatter his illusions of belonging. Unlike them, James cannot return to normalcy; his marriage is fractured, and his writing career stagnant, leaving him adrift without purpose.
James’s refusal to leave La Tolqa further underscores his collapse. The resort’s impending closure and his wife’s likely withdrawal of support suggest a grim fate. If forced into the lawless nation beyond the resort, his survival seems impossible. Whether through violence or other means, James faces an inescapable downfall.
Experience the Dark Vision of Infinity Pool
Featuring a stellar cast that includes Thomas Kretschmann, Amanda Brugel, and Mia Goth, Infinity Pool is now playing in theaters following its 2023 Sundance Film Festival premiere. For showtimes and tickets, visit Fandango. Explore more highly anticipated films releasing this year by checking out the 2023 movie schedule.
