The Film
Winner of the Palme d’Or at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival and snagging Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay, had I actually seen director Ruben Östlund’s Triangle of Sadness in 2022, it would have been one of my favorite films of the year. Technically, I saw it in early 2023 so it might wind up on my favorites of this year! A genre-bending dark comedy that delves into the absurdities of modern society with flair and audacity, I found it to be an unapologetically biting satire that transcended borders and expectations, leaving me alternately hilariously laughing at its lunacy and pondering its deeper meaning.
Directed by the brilliant Ruben Östlund, renowned for his skillful exploration of societal themes, Triangle of Sadness is a visually striking and intellectually stimulating feast. The film covers a lot of ground and characters but primarily follows two prominent fashion models, Yaya and Carl, as they navigate the treacherous waters of the fashion industry, fame, and the rampant narcissism it breeds. Östlund masterfully renders this world of vanity and obsession with wit and absurdity, never pulling any punches.
Leading the charge in this satirical exposé are three exceptional performances that bring the characters to vivid life. Filipino actress Dolly De Leon (who should have received an Oscar for her tremendous work) embodies an aloof, unlikely heroine, effortlessly portraying the internal struggle between her desire to be a leader and her longing for genuine connection in the face of an unexpected crisis. Co-star Harris Dickinson shines as Carl, a young male model lost in the search for fame, confronting society’s pressures on him and the unhealthy choices we make to fit in. Finally, Charlbi Dean (who tragically passed away before the movie achieved its stateside success) delivers a standout performance as the ambitious yet vulnerable model, Heidi, adding depth and nuance to the film’s exploration of the fashion industry’s exploitative nature. Dean is so promising here — it’s awful her life was cut so short.
What sets Triangle of Sadness apart from other films in this genre (though to put it in any one genre limits it too much) is its fearless indictment of society and industry, pulling back the curtain on how superficiality and ambition shape our lives. Östlund’s screenplay is a masterclass in sardonic storytelling, weaving themes of identity, objectification, and the consequences of blind consumerism into a narrative that never loses its grip. As the film progresses, it becomes a thought-provoking examination of human nature and the lengths we go to to maintain our status in an ever-evolving world.
Admittedly not for everyone, Triangle of Sadness demands a certain level of introspection, urging viewers to examine their own lives and the values they hold dear. Its powerful message lingers long after the credits roll, ensuring audiences are not passive observers but active participants in the ongoing conversation surrounding societal ills. It’s that call to action that can be off-putting to some, but I found it to be a refreshing experience, and it’s absolutely why it was so well-received internationally. By mirroring our collective obsession with appearances and the desire for validation, the film provokes us to question our choices and the underlying motivations driving our actions.
Watching Triangle of Sadness again on this Criterion BluRay was a marvel of cinematic storytelling, blending sharp humor and biting social commentary with an added emphasis on whipping up a visual and auditory feast for the senses. Östlund’s deft direction, talented cast, and thought-provoking screenplay (all well-recognized by awards bodies) make for an unforgettable experience that was entertaining and challenging. This bold and audacious satire shines a significant light on our collective weaknesses as a society, immersing us in a world where vanity reigns supreme. Triangle of Sadness is a triumph that elevates the art of satire and leaves an indelible mark on the viewer.
The Disc
Triangle of Sadness is a rarity in the physical media market in that it debuted on BluRay/4K directly to Criterion. Most films are released by their studio first before getting the “Criterion Treatment,” giving the boutique label the ability to create extras that make the release feel a step above the norm. Without that buffer, this initial release of Triangle of Sadness feels a bit on the standard side, and without the presence of a commentary track (which, in all fairness, some directors prefer not to record), it feels incomplete or as if another, more deluxe edition will be arriving down the road.
Aside from the standard trailer and booklet with an essay by film critic A.S. Hamrah, there are several interesting supplements that shed some light on what appears to be a unique film to produce.
Ruben Östlund and Johan Jonason is a conversation between the director of the film and a fellow Swedish director. They discuss the production of the film, its screenplay, and its characters. As in-depth as it can be within the 20-minute run-time, this is an otherwise insightful look behind the curtain from the filmmaker behind it all.
If you’ve seen the film, you know there is one scene that “bursts forth” with energy, and while I found it riotously funny, plenty more were turned off by its excess. In Erik, the Extra, producer Erik Hemmendorff walks us through the shooting of this sequence with a behind-the-scenes look. Note: this extra is in Swedish.
Rounding out the extras is a short demonstration of the visual effects used in the film and 13 minutes worth of deleted scenes that were wisely kept out of the film. Though the film is stuffed to the gills with many ideas and layered emotions, seeing these deleted scenes only shows that Östlund clearly understood where this ship needed to sail for success.