Brandon Cronenberg Hopes You Think Infinity Pool Is Funny

"Infinity Pool," Brandon Cronenberg's new gonzo horror film about the worst resort town imaginable, currently pushing the boundaries of what's considered good, acceptable taste. The film has drawn comparisons to other recent satires about the ultra-wealthy like "Triangle of Sadness," "The Menu," and the television series "The White Lotus," only this time it's like going on a nightmare vacation while having a bad psychedelic trip. Like these other examples, however, "Infinity Pool" is supposed to be at least partially comedic despite its disturbing material, according to Cronenberg.

"Infinity Pool" is a true descent into madness, following a couple that arrives at a relaxing seaside resort only to become entangled in a nightmarish scenario that leads them to grisly secrets lurking underneath the surface. The film stars Alexander Skarsgard ("The Northman"), Cleopatra Coleman ("The Last Man on Earth"), and, hot off her acclaimed scream queen performances in Ti West's horror double-header "X" and "Pearl," Mia Goth. It's the third film for Cronenberg himself, who carries gross-out horror in his genes but who is quickly making a distinct name for himself.

Darkly comedic stories about rich people going on an exotic vacation gone wrong are part of the current zeitgeist, and it's not like they're pulling any punches, either. "Triangle of Sadness" has gained notoriety for its projectile vomiting scene, "The White Lotus" makes sexual relationships one of its core themes, and the violence in "The Menu" makes it arguably even more like horror or a thriller than it is a comedy. 

"Infinity Pool," however, amps up the gross-out fluids to the next level, bathing in blood, urine, and semen and narrowly skirting an NC-17 rating with a couple of edits (the Sundance premiere was the original cut, while the theatrical release is the R-rated version). Besides the subject matter, "Infinity Pool" has another commonality with its contemporary satires about the social elite: it's funny. At least it's supposed to be. According to Cronenberg in an IndieWire panel at Sundance:

"It's partly horror, but there's an element of dry humor to it as well... I don't know if anybody will find it funny. Sometimes I think my movies are gonna be funny and then it's explained to me that they're not actually funny."

For many, the comedy of "Infinity Pool" may be so pitch black that they might get lost in the darkness. On the other hand, a very specific subsection of people will find that Cronenberg's style will tickle their bones and churn their guts at the same time. A toast poured from the hotel bar goes out to them.