As per Antiviral and Possessor, Brandon Cronenberg writes and directs.
Alexander Skarsgård - James
Mia Goth - Gabi
Cleopatra Coleman - Em
Jalil Lespert - Alban
Amanda Brugel - Jennifer
John Ralston - Dr. Modan
Jeffrey Ricketts - Charles
Caroline Boulton - Bex
Thomas Kretschmann - Detective Thresh
Summary
The rainy season in Li Tolqa is fast approaching. Locals call it 'Umbramaq' or The Summoning, and celebrate occasion like there's no tomorrow.
James Foster and wife Em vacationing at the Pa Qlqa Pearl Princess resort meet mysterious couple Gabi and Alban.
One drunken night, James knocks down a man, killing him instantly.
The next day, he's arrested and told by Detective Thresh that under federal law, the penalty for killing somebody, including the case of an avoidable accident is death.
However, foreign visitors can pay the state to build a doppelganger for it to be executed instead.
The only stipulation is that the guilty must watch.
A surreal nightmare of blood-soaked debauchery begins.
Playground for the rich
Sci-fi horror paints the picture that money can literally buy anything, and titular pool of red goo is essentially a get-out-of-jail card for those not short of a few bob.
I'd suggest premise was heavily inspired by TV series The White Lotus.
Psychedelic imagery is complemented by a brilliant colour scheme and performances by Skarsgård and Goth kicked ass.
Although cinema got the edited version, it's still extremely gory.
Kid relentlessly stabbing James's first clone in the gut sets the bloody standard.
Uncut version shown at Sundance is rumoured to be about 90 seconds longer.
Atmosphere of idyllic setting (shot in Hungarian capital Budapest and Croatian city Šibenik) is made all the more ominous by Tim Hecker's score.
Slow burn can be a chore, but comes highly recommended.
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