Yorgos Lanthimos’ Evolution as a Director

Yorgos Lanthimos’ newest film, Poor Things, marks a distinct turn away from some of the stylistic choices he’s made throughout his body of work. However, even though Poor Things showcases his willingness to explore new visual approaches, it is still unmistakably a Lanthimos film. His directorial style is anything but conventional – unorthodox rehearsals, unconventional coverage, creative use of zooms and wide-angle lenses – and this approach to filmmaking has been there since the very beginning. From the existential themes he explores to the cinematic choices he makes, his unique perspective gives his films a tonal quality that feels distinctly his own. So let’s look at Lanthimos’ films - from Kinetta, Dogtooth, and Alps to The Lobster, The Killing of a Sacred Deer, and The Favourite - to see how Poor Things can not only be viewed as an evolution of his process, but also a continuation of his style.

//CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
04:00 Developing His Style
08:40 Kinetta, Dogtooth, Alps
10:05 The Lobster
10:49 The Killing of a Sacred Deer
13:06 The Favourite
17:13 Poor Things

//SOURCES
KINETTA
DOGTOOTH - Dogtooth (2009) - Interview with director Yorgos Lanthimos
ALPS - Göteborg Film Festival 2012 - Master Class Yorgos Lanthimos
THE LOBSTER - Thimios Bakatakis / The Lobster - British Cinematographer, The Lobster Press Conference | NYFF53
THE KILLING OF A SACRED DEER - ASC Magazine (March 2018), DP Robbie Ryan BSC ISC The Favourite Interview | Kodak, Why The Killing of a Sacred Deer Was Shot on Film | Kodak, The Killing of a Sacred Deer Q&A | TIFF 2017, The Killing of a Sacred Deer | Film4 Interview
THE FAVOURITE - ASC Magazine (December 2018), The Favourite Press Conference | NYFF56, Designing Sound Interview: Johnnie Burn on Creating the Sound for The Favourite, Soundworks: The Sound of The Favourite with Johnnie Burn, SAG-AFTRA Conversations with The Favourite, Academy Conversations: The Favourite, A Conversation with Yorgos Lanthimos | Film at Lincoln Center, Director Yorgos Lanthimos on Why He Shoots Film | Kodak
POOR THINGS - ASC Magazine (January 2024), Interview: Cinematographer Robbie Ryan on Using Ektachrome to Shoot ‘Poor Things’ and the Happy Accident That Made for a Perfect Shot - AwardsWatch, Cinematographer Robbie Ryan: Director Yorgos Lanthimos Worked Crafts Magic on 'Poor Things', Poor Things Director Yorgos Lanthimos on His Boldest Vision Yet | NYFF61, Poor Things Cast Interview | Rotten Tomatoes, Yorgos Lanthimos & the Creative Team on Poor Things | NYFF61, Tonebenders: Poor Things with Johnnie Burn, Robert Downey Jr. & Mark Ruffalo | Actors on Actors, Emma Stone & Bradley Cooper | Actors on Actors, Poor Things Crew Interview | NYFF61, Poor Things: Shot on Kodak Film, The Music of Poor Things | The DolbyInstitute Podcast, Poor Things Interview with Robbie Ryan | Variety, FRED’s Interview: Yorgos Lanthimos and Robbie Ryan, Interview with Robbie Ryan | Screen Rant, ASC Clubhouse Conversations - Poor Things, Ari Aster & Yorgos Lanthimos | Directors on Directors

//MUSIC
Abroad Again by Jeremy Blake
W.A. Mozart, Symphony No. 38 in D Major by A Far Cry
Never Play by Jeremy Blake

#YorgosLanthimos #PoorThings #filmmaking

[austins.]

Yorgos is becoming one of my favorite filmmakers of all time. His range is ridiculous, yet he definitely has his own unique style. Poor Things feels like what film has been building up to ever since its inception. Just wonderful stuff

[xcessiveOverlord]

this is one of the best director breakdowns and analyses I've seen on youtube. craft explored in terms of defining concepts and application and the effect that has within multiple contexts. please keep up this phenomenal work on more great filmmakers! Jane Campion & Steve McQueen would be elite!

[robindro]

Incredibly well researched, narrated and montaged analysis. More please!!

[kennybrazilhamilton]

POOR THINGS
THIS IS A HANDS DOWN CLASSIC. THANK YOU GUYS. WE DON'T GET CLASSICS ANYMORE. " I MUST PUNCH THAT BABY!" CLASSIC

[Argeaux]

I love his movies so much.

There is something that feels so fresh about each one.

You kind of think, “Why hasn’t anyone thought of this idea before?”

Which suggests to me that the spaces they are set in feel genuine, even though they are also unnatural.

I have only just seen Poor Things. Usually I need to see one of his films, think about it for a bit, then watch it again.

Of course that means Poor Things isn’t in contention for my favourite film of his.

For now, it is the Lobster.

It has so many little delicious moments.

People trying to make loveless relationships work, due to what happens if they don’t.

The formal interview where you choose which animal you will become.

How close the people of the same gender end up being.

The way that different communities are so practical about their cruelties.

The failure of planning your demise incorrectly.

The complex lies that must be maintained.

So many more things that I can’t mention them all. Watch it, if you haven’t.

[sawyerspecter]

Great video! Yorgos has become one of my favorite directors working today and it still surprises me that he broke into Hollywood industry in such a big way considering how odd his films are. Power of A24 I suppose. Love that studio.

Love the observation here. I've always love his approach to turn the mundane into absurd to bring unique attention to it in a way other filmmakers don't. Also, his collaboration with Emma Stone has been so fun to see one been following Emma's career since Superbad. She has come a long way.

[magvad]

Super high quality and the details you go into feel like a revelation. Love it, ya'll are gunna be big I hope. Great editing and the script really knows what it is talking about. Love how much detail you go into in regards to craft which makes thie channel feel unique. You dont get this kind of analysis of the DP and lens in most of the filmmaker analysis which tend to focus less on these production elements and more on the personalities and storytelling. You really only ever see this kind of reference in actual filmmaking explainer vids and craft tutorials, not in actual analysis of them creatively.

[mindroots]

Really great work. A very interesting, hyper creative and unique filmaker. You are making this even more tangible to understand. Really appreciated your video. Very well put together.

[johns]

Good video, Lanthimos is one of my new favorite directors but I was struggling to find an analysis of this calibre about his evolution. Thanks for providing this!

[anetteekdahl]

Tack för ett fantastiskt sätt att att analysera en regissörs arbete o hantverk på ett unikt sätt. Här får vi följa m på resan & den kreativa processen ifr idé till film. Här förklaras detaljer inpå djupet. Vare sig Musikval, kameravinklar, rörelseschema, rekvisitaval o hur dialoger byggs upp etc.

[LukeNewell]

This was such a great breakdown, really well made!

[therealdan.]

This video is so good! You deserve so much more love on your videos!

[samforbes]

im a huge yorgos fan his movies are amazing!!!

[goodgaby]

Loved it! I’ve seen some bad critiques and you nailed it. Thank you

[phat]

Incredible essay. The substance of it was insatiable. 🤌🏻

[Desi_Midget]

I love your video. I always make sure to watch your latest videos. You guys rock.

[norahperret]

just discovered your channel, it's some amazing work you've done congrats

[antoinepetrov]

For me, Poor Things is an incredible shift in tone compared to Yorgos' previous films. It wasn't as absurdist or surreal, and it even sometimes leaned into very conventional comedic stereotypes. But I love it nonetheless

[TylerMatthewHarris]

I've hated all of his other films so I was very pleasantly surprised by this one.

[samforbes]

u should make one on ari asters evolution!!