The latest venture from Brandon Cronenberg, son of iconic body horror filmmaker David Cronenberg, delivers a shocking cinematic experience. Infinity Pool stars Alexander Skarsgård and Cleopatra Coleman as James and Em, a seemingly perfect couple on vacation in the fictional Li Tolqa, with filming locations in Croatia and Hungary.
They encounter Mia Goth’s enigmatic Gabi, who leads them into unforeseen chaos. The movie combines elements of cloning, murder, nudity, and anarchic beach escapades. Initially rated NC-17 due to its intense content, the theatrical release is toned down to an R rating.
A luxurious vacation takes a dark turn as James and Em confront the consequences of their actions (Photo: Infinity Pool/Film Forge, Elevation Pictures, 4Film, and Hero Squared)How does this chaotic tale conclude? Let’s break it down.
Why Is This Film So Controversial?
James and Em venture beyond the secure confines of their luxurious resort despite warnings about the dangers outside. They bribe a guard for a car and head out with Gabi and her partner Alban, played by Jalil Lespert. After a carefree day at the beach, James accidentally kills a local man while driving back.
This incident introduces the unique laws of Li Tolqa, where victims’ families can seek retribution. However, a wealthy perpetrator can escape death by paying for a cloned replacement to face execution in their stead. James watches as his doppelgänger is gruesomely killed, marking the beginning of his moral and psychological collapse.
What Happens Next?
Em departs after James feigns losing his passport, but his bond with Gabi and her circle of “zombies” deepens. These individuals, having been cloned and sentenced to death, indulge in destructive behavior.
James participates in a home invasion, experiments with a hallucinogenic island drug, and takes part in surreal group activities. Later, he attempts to separate himself from the group but is shot, only to be found by a local family who helps him recover. However, Gabi tracks him down.
What Does Gabi Force James to Do?
Gabi introduces James to a more savage version of himself—another clone, referred to as “the dog.” In a brutal fight, James kills this feral double in a scene as gruesome as it is symbolic. The group subsequently prepares to leave the island, chatting casually about their return to normal life, ignoring their recent transgressions.
What Becomes of James?
At the airport, James appears ready to leave for the United States, with a detail revealing the film is set in 2018. Yet, he hesitates, watching as the terminal empties and flights take off. Instead of boarding, he returns to the resort, now deserted during the rainy season.
The final shot depicts him sitting alone by the pool, drenched in relentless rain, embodying the irrevocable transformation this haunting journey has wrought.
