Wrecked at sea

A clever, funny takedown of the rich and greedy.

TRIANGLE OF SADNESS Directed by Ruben Östlund

A “triangle of sadness” is apparently plastic-surgeon speak for the facial area susceptible to wrinkles caused by a furrowed brow. Viewers

of Ruben Östlund’s latest examination of humanity’s worst qualities may indeed leave the cinema with fresh creases of consternation – but really, it’s probably the schadenfreudian laughter lines you’ll need to watch out for.

After 2017’s award-winning The Square, the Swedish writer-director dishes up a darkly comedic threepart Greek tragedy which ruthlessly takes down the modern-day sins of vanity, extreme wealth and entitlement. First in the skewering line are male model Carl (Harris Dickinson) and his social media influencer girlfriend Yaya (a terrific Charlbi Dean). The bickering couple boards a free luxury cruise which becomes imperilled when a storm

It’s at once brilliant, gross, salient and completely over the top.

whips up and the useless captain (Woody Harrelson) cannot help them.

If you can stomach the scenes of humorously scatological chaos, the unpredictable plotting then turns to an enjoyable third act which incisively flips the tables on the social hierarchy, sending up the film’s helpless rich and eyerollingly exasperated staff.

It’s at once brilliant, gross, salient and completely over the top. With its bitingly clever script, universally superb performances and recognisable horrors, Triangle of Sadness becomes something of a guilty pleasure, as we get to pretend we’re not culpable in all this ghastliness, while cheering on the dishing out of comeuppance.

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