Emily Beecham won the best actress prize at Cannes for her performance in director Jessica Hausner's English-debut "Little Joe." The film is some kind of metaphorical indictment of antidepressants, following scientist and lead plant breeder Alice (Emily Beecham), so enthused by her new work, a potent, but sinister, flower that, just by its presence in a room, exudes the power to make you feel happier. Hell, she even breaks the rules by bringing one plant home to her son Joe (Kit Connor); The plant is named “Little Joe.”
I wrote at Cannes (‘Little Joe' Review: An Allegory to Our Prozac Nation Falls Flat):
“The metaphors in this story are much more fascinating than the actual movie. Do SSRIs and benzodiapines change you for the better, much like the genetically modified plants in this movie? If you think about it, the advances in science have made it possible to lead a happier life, but do we maintain our own selves in the process? "Little Joe" is what I would call “slowburn arthouse” horror. There is barely any blood, nor are there any deaths -- the real threat is the plant's smell changing the course of your brain chemistry. The problem is that Hausner can't really find the tension behind this peculiar story.”
“The annoyingly jolting score, which unnecessarily uses screeching jump scare sounds, feels insulting and aggressive. Hausner should not be entirely faulted, one can only build so many thrills when the demonic presence in your movie is a stilted plant, but the comatose narrative she chooses to rely upon telling this tale, with extended single takes and many wide shots, doesn’t do her or the movie any good.”
Magnolia Pictures will release “Little Joe” in theaters on December 6th.
The ‘Smile’ franchise has a new director. David Bruckner, who made “The Night House” and the 2022 “Hellraiser” reboot, has been hired to direct “Smile 3” for Paramount.