Film Review - Crimes Of The Future (2022)

Long live the new flesh as David Cronenberg returns to familiar ground with body horror in Crimes Of The Future. No connection with the veteran Canadian director’s 1970 film of the same name. However, his latest offering could easily be considered a spiritual sequel to eXistenZ

For five decades, the human body has fascinated Cronenberg. His return to the horror sub-genre he helped shape shows that his obsession is still strong. ‘Videodrome,’ ‘The Fly,’ and ‘Scanners‘ are just some of the mouthwatering films he has given us that tap into ‘body horror’. Not every film has been horror; he has also explored the body in works like ‘Dead Ringers,’ ‘Crash,’ and evenEastern Promises.

Crimes Of The Future originally came out in UK and Irish cinemas in 2022. Until now, the film has only been available digitally, andSecond Sight Films has now released it on 4K, Blu-ray, and DVD. His first film since 2014’s “Map to the Stars,” starring Robert Pattinson and Mia Wasikowska.

We find ourselves in a decaying dystopian world in the near future, a world where physical pain and even diseases no longer exist. Humanity has been forced to adapt, and our bodies have transformed and mutated. Avant-garde performer Saul Tenser (Viggo Mortensen), along with his partner Caprice (Lea Seydoux), possesses the ability to grow new organs inside him.

His shows are so popular that they attract the attention of The National Organ Registry agents Timlin (Kristen Stewart) and her boss Whippet (Don McKellar), a government agency that tracks organs. For people like Tenser, surgery has become the ‘new sex.’ Both agents have witnessed the show, one entranced by the illicit world, the other curious.

Originally, the film was titled “Painkillers” withRalph Fiennes in Tenser’s role. Like a fine wine, it has matured over time with numerous changes, including the name and the substitution of Cronenberg regular Mortensen. Regardless of who he chose and the eventual outcome, no one can deny that his films are intelligent and exceptionally unique. They are never straightforward, whether it’s a horror or sci-fi genre. David Cronenberg‘s vision is always refreshingly distinct. It’s remarkable to witness that even at 80 years old, his ideas and visions continue to flow.

Crimes Of The Future may have many positive aspects, but there are just as many factors that prevent the film from reaching a masterful level. The script is possibly the weakest link, with clunky and even comical dialogue that never truly translates well.

There is also a subplot that opens the film with a young individual who has a taste for plastic and quickly becomes the centre of attraction for Saul and Caprice’s show, leading them into uncharted territory. Some might find this part uncomfortable and a bit too dark. One could argue this plot is our own reliance on the artificial to survive. When you look at the film, it resonates quite a bit. Cosmetic surgery has become a normal part of society, and many young people believe that enhancements are the only way.<

While Crimes Of The Future may not be vintage David Cronenberg it is still perverse, richly unique, and provocative despite its flaws. The film may not attract new fans, but Cronenberg‘s existing fans will likely have the biggest smiles by the end.

★★★

The Blu-ray version comes with the following Special Features:

• New audio commentary by Caelum Vatnsdal
• Undeniably a Love Story: an interview with Director David Cronenberg
• Things Change: an interview with Actor Viggo Mortensen
• The Chaos Inside: an interview with Actor Léa Seydoux
• The Heat and the Grime: an interview with Actor Kristen Stewart
• The Bureau Man: a new interview with Actor Don McKellar
• Painkiller: a new interview with Producer Robert Lantos
• The Most Wonderful Dream: a new interview with Cinematographer Douglas Koch
• The Code of David: a new interview with Editor Christopher Donaldson
• New Flesh, Future Crimes: The Body and David Cronenberg – a video essay by Leigh Singer
• The Making of Crimes of the Future
• Production Design Materials
• Short film: The Death of David Cronenberg