Emma Stone and her sex scenes in ‘Poor Creatures’: “We will do what we need to do”
The Oscar-winning actress stars in one of 2023’s most acclaimed yet controversial films.
Poor Things stands out as one of the most bold and surprising films of recent years, particularly for its unflinching portrayal of sexuality in a baroque and eccentric fantasy world.
Emma Stone delivers a raw and fearless performance as Bella, a young woman resurrected and thrust into an adult body, navigating her self-discovery. For Bella, sexuality becomes a key aspect of her growth, a theme Stone embraced with organic authenticity during filming.
Emma Stone’s perspective on intimacy in ‘Poor Things’
Director Yorgos Lanthimos shared insights into Stone’s approach in an interview with Variety, emphasizing her comfort and commitment to the film’s explicit scenes.
Lanthimos explained that the novel by Alasdair Gray, on which the film is based, portrays sexual freedom as an intrinsic element of Bella’s character. He stated:
- “First of all sex is an intrinsic part of the novel itself, her freedom about everything including sexuality. Secondly, it was very important for me to not make a film that would be prudish, because that would be like completely betraying the main character.”
The Oscar-winning actress’ positive attitude and trust in Lanthimos—built over four previous collaborations—allowed her to fully embody Bella’s journey. Lanthimos recalled:
- “As soon as I started saying something about sex, she would say: ‘yes,’ of course, it’s Bella. We will do what we need to do.”
Ensuring a safe environment on set
To create a comfortable atmosphere, the production hired an intimacy coordinator to oversee all sexual and nude scenes. Lanthimos noted that this made the process easier for everyone.
Where to watch ‘Poor Things’
In the U.S., Poor Things is available on:
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