One of the leading lights in inventive genre cinema, Ben Wheatley is back with his ‘70s-set horror-thriller High-Rise. Working with a big name cast for the first time, the visionary director of Kill List, Sightseers and A Field in England looks to have crafted another uniquely twisted world, one that takes place as much in star Tom Hiddleston’s head as much as the high-rise block of flats he calls home. Even the poster is somewhat unsettling.
“1975. Two miles west of London, Dr. Laing moves into his new apartment seeking soulless anonymity, only to find that the building’s residents have no intention of leaving him alone. Resigned to the complex social dynamics unfolding around him, Laing bites the bullet and becomes neighbourly. As he struggles to establish his position, Laing’s good manners and sanity disintegrate along with the building. The lights go out and the elevators fail but the party goes on. People are the problem. Booze is the currency. Sex is the panacea.”
Also starring Sienna Miller, Jeremy Irons and Luke Evans, High-Rise looks like a dark, oppressive vision of ‘70s futurism and is sure to mess with viewers’ heads when released in UK on March 16th. A US release will follow later in the year.
