“Poor Things,” is a 2024 romantic drama film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and written by Tony McNamara. Based on the 1992 novel by Alasdair Gray, this film stars Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe, Ramy Youssef, Christopher Abbott, and Jerrod Carmichael. The story follows Bella Baxter, a young woman in Victorian London brought back to life by a brain transplant.
“Poor Things” is a unique film with a mix of science fiction and fantasy, set in the 1880s. It’s praised for its amazing production design and has won many awards, including Oscars and Golden Globes. The movie’s scenes take place in places like London, Lisbon, Alexandria, and Paris, but the actual filming locations are mostly in Hungary.
Where Was “Poor Things” Filmed?
Budapest Sound Stages
Most of the film was shot on sound stages in Budapest. Director Yorgos Lanthimos wanted everything to look handmade, like old monster movies. For instance, the scenes set in Lisbon were filmed on a big soundstage, allowing them to create a fantastical version of the city. Even the ship scenes were filmed on these stages. They used giant screens and hand-painted backgrounds to create the vibrant, colorful skylines. This gave the film a look that combines old-fashioned movie sets with modern technology.
Woods Near Budapest
About 95% of the film was shot in controlled settings, but some parts used real locations. One such place is the woods near Budapest. Towards the end of the film, Bella Baxter and her husband Max McCandles (played by Ramy Youssef) are seen walking through these woods, having conversations. Though real, these locations were heavily modified to fit the film’s unique style.
Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library, Budapest
In the third act of the movie, Christopher Abbott’s character, Alfie Blessington, is introduced. Much of his scenes take place in his house. The interior shots were filmed in the Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library in Budapest. This library is part of a large network and provided an elegant setting for the final sequences.
Old Television Building, Budapest
The scenes showing the London medical school where Bella is created were filmed in an old television building in central Budapest. This building, located near the Parliament, was used for scenes involving quirky characters and strange creatures. The added special effects make it hard to recognize the real location.
Crypt Beneath a Church, Outside Budapest
The climax of “Poor Things,” featuring Bella Baxter and Max McCandles’s wedding, was shot in the crypt beneath a church on the outskirts of Budapest. The crypt was given a dramatic look to fit the film’s style, blending real and imaginative elements perfectly.
“Poor Things” took us on an extraordinary journey with its stunning sets and creative filming locations. Though Bella Baxter’s adventures seem to span the globe, the movie was mostly filmed in Hungary. The imaginative use of sound stages and real locations transformed Budapest into a magical world, making the film’s visuals as remarkable as its story.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Poor Things
Q: Where was “Poor Things” filmed?
A: “Poor Things” was primarily filmed in Hungary. Most of the movie was shot on sound stages in Budapest, where custom-built sets recreated various cities and scenes. Some real locations around Budapest, including the woods near the city, the Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library, the old television building, and the crypt beneath a church, were also used for specific scenes.
Q: When was “Poor Things” filmed?
A: The filming of “Poor Things” took place from August 2021 to December 2021. The production began in the summer and wrapped up by the end of the year, with principal photography conducted mainly in Budapest, Hungary.
Q: What is the release date of “Poor Things”?
A: “Poor Things” was released in theaters on February 27, 2024.
Q: How did the filmmakers create the unique look of “Poor Things”?
A: The filmmakers created the unique look of “Poor Things” by building elaborate sets on sound stages in Budapest. They used a combination of hand-painted backgrounds, giant LED screens, and miniatures to create fantastical versions of cities like Lisbon and London. This approach allowed them to blend the visual styles of classic monster movies with modern cinematic techniques.
Q: What are some notable filming locations in “Poor Things”?
A: Notable filming locations in “Poor Things” include:
Budapest Sound Stages: Used for most of the film’s sets.
Woods near Budapest: Featured in the final scenes with Bella and Max.
Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library, Budapest: Used for the interior of Alfie Blessington’s house.
Old Television Building, Budapest: Represented the London medical school.
Crypt Beneath a Church, outside Budapest: Used for the dramatic wedding sequence.
