‘Poor People’ First Look: Emma Stone Stars in Yorgos Lanthimos Film

April 28, 2023

Willem Dafoe, Jerrod Carmichael and Ramy Youssef also star in the Yorgos Lanthimos film.

Emma Stone has risen from the dead.

The Oscar-nominated actress deepens her collaboration with filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos with “The Poor,” a twisted Frankenstein-inspired tale of second chances. According to the official synopsis, “The Poor” focuses on the incredible tale and fantastic evolution of Bella Baxter (Stone), a young woman brought to life by the brilliant and unconventional scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe). Under Baxter’s protection, Bella is eager to learn. Hungry for the missing worldliness, Bella runs away with Duncan Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo), a slick and debauched lawyer, on a whirlwind adventure across continents. Free from the prejudices of her age, Bella stands firm in her determination to stand up for equality and liberation.

Stone is producing the film, which also stars Ramy Youssef and Jerrod Carmichael. “The Poor” was written by “The Great” showrunner Tony McNamara, who also wrote Lanthimos’ last film, “The Favorite,” also starring Stone. McNamara also wrote Cruella, which starred Stone.

“The Poor” is based on the novel by Scottish writer Alasdair Gray about a woman who drowns to escape her abusive husband and comes back to life with the brain of her unborn child.

“Les Miserables” actors Stone and Dafoe have confirmed that they will star in Lanthimos’ next film AND. The mystery film also stars “Favorite” actor Joe Alwyn, Jesse Plemons, Margaret Qualley and Hong Chau. Lanthimos praised Dafoe’s commitment to his roles in “AND” and “Poor People,” saying, “That’s what you want actors to be a part of in any way.”

“The Poor” premieres in theaters on September 8 from Searchlight. Check out the first look images below.