Triangle of Sadness (2022)

Director: Ruben Ostlund

Starring: Harris Dickinson, Charlbi Dean, Dolly de Leon, Zlatko Buric

Primary genre: Black comedy

Secondary genre: Satire

Nominated for: Best director, film, original screenplay

Subtle is not a word that would describe Ruben Ostlund’s “Triangle of Sadness”. Consistent in its thematic context with the other outputs of the Swedish auteur, his English debut does not luck any of his punchy tone and sharp social commentary.

Spilled across three acts, “Triangle of Sadness” is an excellent case study of group behavior but in the greasy ladder of the rich and privileged. However, do not expect here obvious backstabbings and passive aggressive behavior that has been stereotypically attached to upper high classes. Instead Ostlund’s brilliant script takes turns to fire arrows towards several societal aspects; from undisclosed male sexual harassment in the world of modelling and its subsequent pay inequality, gender roles that so called “modern” and “progressive” individuals despise, rely heavily upon when it suits their needs to the preachiness for fairness in idiotic circles like the fashion industry. Within 20 minutes, no one is safe and what could have been easily become a platform for pseudo activism is being used for a barricade of laughs. Comedy and satire as the Ancient Greeks so ingeniously contemplated are the most sincere forms to exercise criticism. Have not you heard the healing power of laughter?

Following a wildly engaging and almost improv dialogical segment, the film shifts gears and location in the luxurious lifestyle that a $250 million dollar yacht offers leaving the audience to fill in the information gaps themselves on the who’s and why’s. Under the beautiful backdrop of the Aegean, life is not what it seems, a multi layered class system firmly exists in a metallic entity in the middle of the ocean to almost absurd levels of patronization. For a myriad of reasons that if disclosed would spoil the fun, the tables are turned around, and Ostlund delivers a delicious satire which feels right at home with the world’s today state.

What separates “Triangle of Sadness” from other films of the same contextual caliber, is its willingness to go a step further and mock relentlessly in brutal fashion the on-screen characters. Its several comments do not come in the form of moral monologues or emotionally manipulative montages; a glance or an uncomfortable stare is enough to make waves of thinking and to cause severe eye rolling actions. Half-way through, Ostlund’s precise direction converts the convincing production design of grandeur luxury into a scenery that is not traditionally associated with our primal functions. In the excess of 15 minutes, those with a weak stomach might find it not easy to … digest but then again it is not different than anything the Farrelly Brothers have done before. Ostlund methodologically builds up this climax to a hilarious effect offering vitriolic comedy and rich characterization while an interesting clash of ideologies is playing (literally) in the background.

With such a unique voice, it is hard to resist this triangle’s charms, which are extended to the remote Greek island of Evoia (opposite the reviewer’s home!) and subverting the “cast away” tropes of survival with gusto. Its blink and you will miss it finale only pours more oil in the afterwards flaming discussion about the several subtle meanings and messages which repeated viewings warrant to provide. Supported by a spot on cast (the late Charlby Dean is amazing, Dickinson does strong work after his banal work in “The King’s Man” (2021), Harrelson is simply a joy and Zlatko Rubic is perhaps the best character by far) and despite an almost three hour running time, things move at a briskly pace due to the rich backdrop of affairs presented.

Boarding “Triangle of Sadness” seeks and I would argue, deserves rightfully your complete attention to deliver an immersive and satisfying satire that those in a position of privilege possess.

Bonkers satire of society’s modern state

+Spot on multi-layered satire

+Hilarious comedy with intellectual context

+Absorbing dialogical segments

+Fascinating and sharp social commentary

+Harrelson is having a blast

+Precise direction

-Infamous yacht scene could turn people off