High-Rise Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A bunch of posh Londoners decide to have a really, *really* long house party that devolves into cannibalism and questionable interior decorating choices.

🍿 High-Rise: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to the High-Rise and Dr. Laing

Dr. Robert Laing, a young doctor, moves into a modern high-rise apartment building in 1970s London. The building is designed as a self-contained community, stratified by social class: the higher the floor, the wealthier the resident. Laing, seemingly neutral, quickly becomes acquainted with various residents, including the enigmatic architect Anthony Royal and the provocative Charlotte Melville.

The Breakdown Begins: Social Tensions Escalate

Cracks begin to appear in the high-rise’s utopian facade. Minor inconveniences, such as power outages and plumbing issues, exacerbate existing class tensions. Parties and social gatherings become increasingly decadent and competitive, mirroring the growing discontent. Richard Wilder, a documentary filmmaker from a lower floor, begins to document the escalating chaos, fueling the resentment towards the upper-class residents.

Descent into Anarchy: Violence and Depravity

As the building’s infrastructure deteriorates further, society within the high-rise collapses entirely. Residents devolve into tribalistic behavior, engaging in violent clashes, looting, and sexual depravity. Laing, initially an observer, becomes increasingly embroiled in the escalating madness, losing his grip on reality. The film depicts a brutal and unsettling descent into primal savagery, highlighting the fragility of civilization.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Laing (Tom Hiddleston): A detached and observant doctor who moves into the High-Rise and becomes entangled in its descent into chaos.
• Royal (Jeremy Irons): The architect of the High-Rise, embodying the detached and aristocratic upper class.
• Charlotte (Sienna Miller): A seductive and enigmatic resident who introduces Laing to the upper echelons of the High-Rise society.
• Wilder (Luke Evans): A documentary filmmaker from the lower floors who becomes a volatile instigator of class warfare.
• Helen (Elisabeth Moss): Wilder’s pregnant wife, struggling with her husband’s obsession and the building’s descent into anarchy.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Ann: “There’s no food left. Only the dogs. And Mrs. Hillman is refusing to clean unless I pay her what I apparently owe her. Like all poor people, she’s obsessed with money.” – This quote reflects the breakdown of social order and the descent into primal behavior within the high-rise as resources dwindle.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $8 million
• Domestic Gross: $346,472
• Worldwide Gross: $4,289,074

💥 High-Rise Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, *High-Rise* is definitely one of those movies that stays with you, even if you’re not entirely sure *why*. I was completely drawn in by the unsettling atmosphere and the way everything just spirals out of control. Tom Hiddleston is fantastic, and I loved the retro-futuristic look of the building. The party scenes were wild, especially the Abba cover. It felt like a commentary on society, but also just a really messed-up, stylish trip. I’m still trying to figure it all out, and I honestly think that’s part of what makes it so fascinating. The dog roasting scene at the beginning was quite disturbing. Would recommend if you like weird films.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of J.G. Ballard’s novels”
  • “Viewers interested in dystopian and allegorical films”
  • “Those who appreciate dark humor and social commentary”
  • “Fans of Ben Wheatley’s directing style”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Sexual content and nudity”
  • “Animal cruelty”
  • “Disturbing and unsettling themes”

Professional Reviews

• The Guardian: “Ben Wheatley delivers a visually stunning and darkly humorous adaptation of Ballard’s novel, but the narrative incoherence and lack of character development ultimately detract from its impact. It’s a stylish descent into madness, but one that often feels more chaotic than insightful.
• Empire: “High-Rise is a bold and unsettling film that will divide audiences. Wheatley’s direction is masterful, creating a claustrophobic and nightmarish atmosphere. While the film’s themes are complex and challenging, the strong performances and striking visuals make it a worthwhile experience.
• Variety: “Wheatley’s adaptation is visually arresting and features strong performances, but it struggles to translate the novel’s themes of class warfare and societal decay into a coherent and engaging narrative. The film’s excesses often overshadow its substance.

Audience Reactions

Visually stunning with great performances, especially from Hiddleston and Evans.: Fans appreciated the film’s stylish direction, strong performances, and its exploration of class and societal breakdown, though some found it confusing.

The descent into madness was captivating and disturbing.: Viewers were intrigued by the film’s exploration of primal instincts and the rapid breakdown of social order within the high-rise.

Overall Consensus: High-Rise is a visually striking and thought-provoking film that explores themes of class and societal decay, but its narrative incoherence and disturbing content may not appeal to all viewers.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is an adaptation of J.G. Ballard’s 1975 novel of the same name. The novel explores themes of social isolation, class warfare, and the disintegration of modern society within a self-contained high-rise building.”
• “Two interpretations of the ABBA song “SOS” are included in the film, one by the film’s composer Clint Mansell and the other by Portishead. The ABBA song was originally released in 1975, the same year as the novel.”

🖥️ How to Watch High-Rise?

Currently, “High-Rise” is available for streaming on platforms like Hoopla. You can rent or purchase it on demand from services such as Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Amazon Prime Video. Check your local listings for potential broadcast schedules as well.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed High-Rise, you might like these similar films:

• Snowpiercer (2013): Both films depict a stratified society confined within a limited space (a train in ‘Snowpiercer’, a building in ‘High-Rise’), leading to class warfare and social breakdown.
• A Clockwork Orange (1971): Shares a dystopian vision of society with themes of violence, social control, and the dark side of human nature, presented with a distinct visual style.
• Brazil (1985): Presents a darkly comedic and surreal vision of a society suffocated by bureaucracy, technology, and social decay, similar to the themes explored in High-Rise.

🛒 High-Rise Related Products

• J.G. Ballard: The Complete Stories: Delve into the mind of J.G. Ballard with this comprehensive collection of his short stories, including works that explore similar themes of societal collapse and technological dystopia as ‘High-Rise.’
• A Clockwork Orange [Blu-ray]: Stanley Kubrick’s controversial masterpiece explores similar themes of societal breakdown and violence. Both films are known for their unsettling atmosphere and thought-provoking themes.
• Abstract Art Prints Set of 6 (8×10 inch): High-Rise’s stark, brutalist architecture serves as an important element of the movie. This selection of abstract art pieces can add beauty and colour to modern home décor.
• The Complete J.G. Ballard Short Stories: Volume 1: Ebook. Experience the haunting and thought-provoking literary world of J.G. Ballard, exploring themes of social decay, technological obsession, and the human psyche’s darker corners. Perfect for fans of the film’s unsettling atmosphere and dystopian themes.

🎧 Soundtrack

High-Rise features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “S.O.S.” – performed by Portishead
• “Sundance Chant” – performed by Gila
• “Arrival” – performed by Clint Mansell

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

In The Future, Humans Housed In 1 Building; Floors Based On Wealth: Poor On Bottom & Rich On Top

Ever feel lost trying to understand the whole ‘floors representing wealth’ thing in High-Rise? This video breaks it all down! It’s like a Cliff’s Notes version, but way more engaging, and you’ll finally get what the movie’s REALLY about.

Tom Hiddleston dancing Beggin’ #tomhiddleston #loki #highrise #dancing #beggin

Did you know Tom Hiddleston can dance? Check out this awesome clip of him grooving, probably from around the time High-Rise came out! It’s a fun, lighthearted way to see a different side of the actor.

✨ Rate