Why is Poor Things black and white?

The film “Poor Things,” directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, intrigues audiences with its unconventional visual style. While most movies embrace vibrant colors, “Poor Things” begins in grainy black and white. This stylistic choice is deliberate and serves multiple purposes:

Bella’s Perspective: The film follows the journey of Bella, portrayed by Emma Stone. At the start, Bella’s worldview is childlike and limited. The black-and-white aesthetic reflects her initial innocence and lack of understanding. As the story unfolds, Bella matures, and the film gradually transitions to color, mirroring her growth and self-discovery.

Off-Balance and Unsettling: The use of fish-eye lenses and peepholes in the black-and-white scenes keeps viewers off balance. It creates an unsettling atmosphere, urging us to lean closer and pay attention. This visual disorientation aligns with Bella’s confusion and curiosity as she navigates a strange world.

Symbolism: The shift from black and white to color represents Bella’s transformation. As she gains agency and independence, the film opens up into lush, wondrous color. The nighttime skies during her ocean voyage, for instance, become particularly awe-inspiring. This transition symbolizes Bella’s emergence from naivety into self-awareness and empowerment.

Alien Perspective: Imagine an alien arriving on Earth and questioning human behavior: “Why do you do that?” The black-and-white segments evoke this sense of alien observation. Bella, like an outsider, observes societal norms, gender roles, and power dynamics with fresh eyes.

In summary, the deliberate use of black and white in “Poor Things” serves as a visual metaphor for Bella’s journey from innocence to understanding. It invites viewers to explore the film’s themes beyond the surface, just as Bella explores her own identity and the complexities of the world around her.