High-Rise

High-Rise, released in 2015, is a captivating British dystopian drama film that has a star-studded cast featuring Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irons, Sienna Miller, and many others. The film is directed by Ben Wheatley, known for his unique and intricate storytelling, and the screenplay is adapted by Amy Jump from J.G. Ballard's 1975 novel of the same name. The motion picture reflects a chilling, retro-futuristic exploration of social structures and class conflict within the claustrophobic setting of a high-rise apartment building.

The premise of High-Rise centers around Dr. Robert Laing, brilliantly portrayed by Tom Hiddleston who is mostly known for his role as Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Laing is a young and suave physiologist who moves to an ultra-modern high-rise apartment, a symbol of luxury and exclusivity, designed by the enigmatic architect Anthony Royal, played by Jeremy Irons. The state-of-the-art building is designed as an isolated community with all the necessary amenities, including a supermarket, swimming pool, school, and even a high-end restaurant, thus cutting its inhabitants from the outside world.

However, the issue of social stratification becomes apparent soon as the building is divided not just by floors but by socio-economic classes as well. The higher-ups live on the top floors enjoying all the superior amenities, while the lower-class families are left to make do with the inferior facilities on the lower floors. The film paints a vivid image of societal disparity by illustrating the resource allocation within the high-rise, which fuels the forthcoming tensions.

In the beginning, everything seems to function smoothly. The residents indulge in decadent parties and the high-rise community seems too good to be true. However, as the building starts to experience power outages, the situation gradually transforms into a dystopic horror show of vices and violence. The seeming edifice of civility, apparent at the beginning, starts to crumble as deeply rooted class prejudices come to the surface, leading to a breakdown of societal order inside the high-rise.

Tom Hiddleston’s performance as Dr. Laing is compelling and complex. His gradual acceptance of and his passive reaction to the escalating chaos that envelops the high-rise portray a stark contrast compared to his initial, polished, reserved persona. Jeremy Irons, as the impassive and eccentric architect who remains disturbingly detached from the suffering of his creation, delivers an equally convincing performance. Sienna Miller plays Charlotte Melville, Laing's neighbour and love interest, whose presence adds more dynamism to the narrative. The ensemble cast, which also includes Luke Evans, Elisabeth Moss, and James Purefoy among others, adds to the depth and intensity of the overarching narrative.

High-Rise, with its eerie and sinister atmosphere, incorporates a significant amount of black humor into its narrative. The cinematic aesthetics in the film, defined by its commitment to the 70’s style set designs and costumes, makes it visually enchanting. Additionally, the perfectly synchronized music score by Clint Mansell gracefully enhances the film’s atmospheric intensity. Wheatley's regular cinematographer Laurie Rose contributes significantly to this with his sophisticated and stylish cinematography capturing the descent into chaos with striking detail.

However, the success of High-Rise lies in the way it effectively employs its physical setting as a metaphor to comment on social structures and class conflict. As a satire on the ideal of a perfect, hermetically-sealed society, it highlights the inherent flaws of such a system by portraying the inherent human instincts towards anarchy when placed under stress.

Overall, High-Rise is more than just a dystopian drama. It is a stylishly brutal, darkly funny exploration of human nature, social order, and the inherent fragility of utopian dreams, delivered with unforgettable performances and striking cinematography. It adds another layer to our understanding of societal structures, serving as a stark reminder of how quick veneers of civility can dissolve under strained conditions. Balancing intense drama, biting satire, and thought-provoking themes, High-Rise is a heady and challenging cinematic experience that dares its audiences to look below the surface.