The highly anticipated release of Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone ‘s collaboration on “Poor Creatures” brings with it not only an intriguing narrative and captivating characters, but also a unique soundtrack that has been carefully crafted by the talented Jerskin Fendrix.
“Poor Creatures” not only marks a milestone for Yorgos Lanthimos in working with a dedicated composer for the first time, but also represents Jerskin Fendrix ‘s feature film debut as a soundtrack creator. The unconventional choice of Fendrix, known for his distinctive blend of classical piano, observational lyrics and avant-garde rhythms, intrigued Lanthimos from the start. In a revealing statement, Lanthimos expressed the difficulty of describing Fendrix’s first album, but the undeniable feeling that it was the perfect choice.
Since November 15, 2023, the general public has had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of “Pobres Criaturas” through two exclusive singles: “Bella” and “Lisbon”. These previews offered a glimpse of the sonic complexity that Jerskin Fendrix has woven to accompany the film’s unique narrative.
Fendrix was not only inspired by the main character, Bella, but embraced all the characters in the film when creating the soundtrack. Dressed by costume designer Holly Woddington in outfits reminiscent of Mary Shelley’s nightmares, the characters confront injustice and heartbreak in an endearing and open manner. Fendrix’s music, in the composer’s own words, addresses feelings in an “embarrassingly kind of open” way, creating a direct emotional connection with the audience.
To achieve a palpable emotional vulnerability in the soundtrack, Fendrix employed a unique blend of woodwind instruments and whispery, synthesized vocal samples. This approach creates a sense of introspection, mirroring Bella’s experience at the beginning of the film, where she sees and feels a lot without being able to fully express it.
In the track “Lisbon”, Fendrix takes listeners back to Bella’ s initial freedom as she begins to discover the world. Although still naïve and vulnerable, the music reveals something new emerging. Using mallets and strings, Fendrix creates a sense of chaos and complexity that follows Bella’s faltering steps through an unfamiliar city. The soundtrack not only accompanies the narrative; it becomes the window into Bella’s mind, where emotions and experiences are translated into notes and melodies.
The soundtrack of “Pobres Criaturas” is not only a musical accompaniment; it is an experience in itself.
