“The Lobster” is a 2015 dystopian romantic-comedy directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and stars Colin Farrell, Rachel Weisz, and John C. Reilly. The film is set in a near-future society where single people are given 45 days to find a romantic partner, or they will be turned into an animal of their choice and released into the woods.
The story follows David (Colin Farrell), a recently divorced man who checks into a mysterious hotel, where he is given 45 days to find a romantic partner or else be turned into a lobster. David is a quiet and reserved man struggling to accept his failed marriage and has little hope of finding a new partner. However, he soon meets a woman known only as “the short-sighted woman” (Rachel Weisz), with whom he begins to form a connection.
As David gets to know the short-sighted woman, he questions the societal norms that have led him to this point. He also becomes involved in a resistance movement of sorts, led by a group of rebellious loners who have escaped from the hotel and now live in the woods. The loners reject the notion of coupledom, believing that it is a form of social oppression, and they engage in strange rituals and practices to maintain their independence.
Despite his growing feelings for the short-sighted woman, David is torn between his desire for love and his fear of becoming a lobster. Meanwhile, the hotel’s manager (Olivia Colman) and her staff of authoritarian enforcers keep a close eye on David and the other guests, ensuring they comply with the strict rules of the hotel.
“The Lobster” is a darkly funny and thought-provoking film that explores the nature of love, relationships, and societal norms. It is a satire of modern dating culture and a commentary on society’s pressures on individuals to conform to specific standards of behavior. The film is unique and surreal, and combined with the excellent performances from the cast, make the movie one of the most stand-out films that year and sure to be talked about in years to come.
Find out where to watch it via A24 HERE.
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