Film Review: Triangle of Sadness

Triangle of Sadness

Neon

Release date

October 7, 2022 

Description

In Ruben Östlund’s wickedly funny Palme d’Or winner, social hierarchy is turned upside down, revealing the tawdry relationship between power and beauty. Celebrity model couple, Carl (Harris Dickinson) and Yaya (Charlbi Dean), are invited on a luxury cruise for the uber-rich, helmed by an unhinged boat captain (Woody Harrelson). What first appeared instagrammable ends catastrophically, leaving the survivors stranded on a desert island and fighting for survival.

Triangle of Sadness #whatonwhatsgood Express Review (By: Jovin Tardif | What on What's Good)

There are three parts to Ruben Östlund's 'Triangle of Sadness'.

In part one, you are introduced to the main characters model Carl (Harris Dickinson), and his successful influencer girlfriend Yaya (Charlbi Dean). You get to learn a little bit about their relationship as they both stare at a bill at the restaurant. It was quite an amusing start to the film.

In part two, we watch the couple enjoy an all-expenses paid yacht cruise. The movie gets into how the ultra-rich act on the boat and how the help try to work around them. Tension continues to build up between Carl and Yaya over things happening on the cruise. You also get to meet the manager of the cruise, Therese (Iris Berben), who is trying to create a wonderful experience for the guest even though the captain of the ship (Woody Harrelson) has checked out. I'm sure you will find Harrelson's character quite amusing. The captain’s dinner and the aftermath are definitely memorable scenes.

In part three, the yacht sinks, and passengers are left on a desert island. The super-rich are unable to fish or make a fire so cleaning lady Abigail (Dolly De Leon) takes over. A new society is created and Abigail is now the boss and everyone has to listen. The rich are no longer in control. Will Carl and Yaya stay together?

Directed by

Ruben Östlund

Written by

Ruben Östlund

Produced by

Erik Hemmendorff and Philippe Bober

Starring

Harris Dickinson as Carl

Charlbi Dean as Yaya

Dolly de Leon as Abigail

Zlatko Burić as Dimitry

Woody Harrelson as Captain Thomas Smith

Iris Berben as Therese

Vicki Berlin as Paula

Henrik Dorsin as Jorma Björkman

Jean-Christophe Folly as Nelson

Amanda Walker as Clementine

Oliver Ford Davies as Winston

Sunnyi Melles as Vera

Cinematography

Fredrik Wenzel

Edited by

Ruben Östlund and Mikel Cee Karlsson

Music by

Mikkel Maltha and Leslie Ming

Director Ruben Östlund discusses the title of the film "triangle of sadness"

It’s a term used in the beauty industry. A friend sat next to a plastic surgeon at a party and, after a quick look at her face, he said, “Oh, you have a quite deep triangle of sadness… but I can fix that with Botox in 15 minutes”. He was referring to a wrinkle between her eyebrows. In Swedish it’s called ‘trouble wrinkle’ and it suggests you’ve had a lot of struggles in your life. I thought it said something about our era’s obsession with looks and that inner wellbeing is, in some respects, secondary.

Harris Dickinson discusses a particular scene from the film that stayed with him

I loved the scene with the captain and Dimitriy. To see two drunk men rambling on about their politics  - communist and capitalism respectively – was great fun. I’ve been thinking about it a lot since. Sadly I didn’t have the opportunity to meet Woody Harrelson, but I’m making it my mission to meet him at some point. 

Charlbi Dean discusses how people might react to TRIANGLE OF SADNESS?

I have no idea! Hopefully people will leave the theater wanting to talk about it and discuss it. Those are my favorite films: the ones that get my mind going, piss me off a little, make me laugh and cry.

Harris Dickinson as Carl in Triangle of Sadness

Woody Harrelson as the Captain in Triangle of Sadness

Triangle of Sadness

Harris Dickinson as Carl and Charlbi Dean as Yaya in Triangle of Sadness