The Lure (2015)
Imagine if 'The Little Mermaid' were a bloody, synth-pop-fueled horror musical set in 1980s Warsaw. That's 'The Lure'. Two man-eating mermaid sisters, Golden and Silver, join a seedy nightclub act and navigate the perils of love and exploitation. Like
Poor Things, this Polish gem uses a fantastical, fairytale-like premise to explore female sexuality, innocence, and bodily autonomy in a way that is both tragic and viscerally unforgettable. It's a dazzling, gory, and surprisingly sensitive story of monstrous girls trying to survive in a human world.
The Duke of Burgundy (2014)
If the meticulous, hermetically sealed world-building of Poor Things enthralled you, then Peter Strickland's stylish psychodrama is your next stop. The film follows the complex BDSM relationship between two women, Cynthia and Evelyn, who live in a strange, hyper-feminine world obsessed with the study of butterflies and moths. The film masterfully subverts expectations of power and submission, revealing the tender, vulnerable, and often humorous mechanics of their love. It’s an erotic, emotionally rich, and visually sumptuous film that, like Bella's journey, explores how fantasy and reality shape our deepest desires.
Border (2018)
Bella Baxter’s story is one of an outsider discovering her true nature. The same can be said for Tina, the protagonist of this wholly unique Swedish fantasy-drama. Tina is a customs officer with an extraordinary ability to smell human emotions like fear and guilt. When she encounters a man who shares her distinct physical features, her entire understanding of who—and what—she is begins to unravel. Blending Nordic noir with folklore, 'Border' is a strange, tender, and often shocking film about identity, belonging, and embracing the monstrous within.
Evolution (2015)
For those drawn to the unsettling, body-centric horror undercurrents of Poor Things, Lucile Hadžihalilović’s 'Evolution' is essential viewing. On a remote island inhabited only by women and young boys, 10-year-old Nicolas discovers a dead body in the sea that leads him to question the strange medical treatments all the boys are forced to undergo. The film is a masterclass in atmospheric dread, using stark, clinical visuals and minimal dialogue to create a deeply mysterious and disturbing coming-of-age parable. It’s a haunting exploration of maternity, bodily autonomy, and the uncanny, viewed through the eyes of a bewildered child.
Frank (2014)
While lighter in tone than Poor Things, 'Frank' shares its deep appreciation for the wonderfully weird. An aspiring musician, Jon, joins an experimental pop band led by the enigmatic Frank, a genius who perpetually wears a giant papier-mâché head. The film is a hilarious and surprisingly moving dark comedy about creativity, mental illness, and the clash between artistic purity and commercial ambition. It champions the unconventional with the same deadpan humor and sincerity that makes Bella Baxter’s journey so compelling, celebrating those who operate far outside the mainstream.
The Brand New Testament (2015)
If you enjoyed the blasphemous wit and societal critique of Poor Things, this Belgian fantasy-comedy will be a delight. In the film, God exists, but he's a cruel slob living in a Brussels apartment who torments humanity for fun. His ten-year-old daughter, Ea, decides she's had enough, hacks his computer to tell everyone on Earth their death date, and escapes to find six new apostles. It's a whimsical, satirical, and surprisingly sweet film that uses its high-concept premise to explore free will, kindness, and what it truly means to live.
Horse Girl (2020)
Alison Brie co-writes and stars in this psychological drama about Sarah, a socially awkward craft store employee whose increasingly surreal and vivid dreams begin to blur with reality. Like Bella Baxter's journey, 'Horse Girl' is a story about a woman's fractured mind and her struggle to find her place in the world. The film keeps you guessing whether Sarah is experiencing a mental health crisis, a spiritual awakening, or an alien abduction. It’s a compassionate, unsettling, and deeply empathetic portrait of loneliness and the search for connection.
