Ruben Östlund’s “Triangle of Sadness”

Triangle of Sadness (2022)

Half-baked with no surprises, this tedious black comedy lacks the punch of Östlund’s earlier work

Seeing the trailer, this looked interesting(if a little flat) and considering Östlund’s previous films(“Force Majeure”, “The Square”) I went into this restrained but hopeful. The first 20 minutes where we are introduced to two young models and influencers is interesting but the film changes tact after that and becomes a lot more predictable and if you’ve seen the trailer, you’ve seen most of the high points. If Woody Harrelson’s performance as the Captain drew you in, know now that you’ve seen most of it in the trailer.

The central theme of the film around the affluent (and those aspiring to be so) being terrible people is so painfully obvious that it’s difficult to engage. It makes me wonder how this won Palme D’Or at Cannes this year. Perhaps the affluent have a different perspective?

In terms of the acting, it’s faultless with what they’re given particularly the leads Harris Dickinson and Charlbi Dean who died suddenly in August as a result of a viral infection. Again, the first 20 minutes focusing on these two is good promising so much more. Harrelson and Dolly de Leon are other standouts but are underused.

Overall, it feels like the film needed more work and the end result feels under developed and lacking ideas. Among the biggest disappointments of 2022 for me alongside The Northman.