When I think of the films of Yorgos Lanthimos, many things come to mind: first and foremost, his deadpan absurdity (Lanthimos is part of a film movement referred to as the Greek Weird Wave), but also recurring themes such as the arbitrariness of social mores, sexuality, heteronormativity, and structures of power and authority. What I associate most strongly with Lanthimos, though, the unease they evoke. Even when they make me laugh, Yorgos Lanthimos’ films are often supremely uncomfortable.
Which is why it comes as something of a surprise that his latest film, Poor Things, which tells the story of an infant whose brain, Frankenstein-style, is implanted into the body of an adult woman and who finds liberation through sexuality, may just be Lanthimos’ most feel-good film.
It’s saying something if the first thing I remember about the movie year 2018 is not a movie, but a character. Thanos looms large – how could he not? With one fell swoop, Marvel solved its most prominent problem and made very, very sure that we wouldn’t forget their biggest, baddest baddie. He has depth – I believe him when he says that he fulfills his mission partly against his own will, and that it cost him everything. And he – goddamn it – is successful. Of course, my experience of Avengers: Infinity War was deeply colored by my favorite daughter sitting beside me who couldn’t believe that half her favorite MCU characters went up in ashes. Maybe this was this generation’s Bambi. 
A Damn Fine Cup of Culture 