A fashion model celebrity couple join an eventful cruise for the super-rich.

Things are not always as Instagrammable as they first appear...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.

A sadness lays heavy over this Palme d’Or winner with the sudden death of its star Charlbi Dean due to a rare infection last year. What makes it even more heartbreaking is that her superb performance here suggested that not only was she an emerging talent, but would go on to do great things. 

While some of the satirical punches are obvious, Triangle of Sadness has enough here to provoke and entertain alike, with a superbly impressive performance from Charlbi Dean.

Split into three distinct acts, Triangle of Sadness starts with great promise, exploring the relational dynamics between Carl and Yaya, two models who are dating. But just as it begins to get intriguing, director Ostlund changes tact with the story now confined to a yacht. 

The previous thematic exploration appears to be abandoned as Ostlund begins to explore class distinctions and generational wealth. Carl and Yaya and their intriguing relational dynamics take the back seat in light of this new target. 

While the dialogue is sharp and there are truly intriguing and entertaining moments, the target of Ostlund’s satire seem to be so fairly obvious and have been explored from nearly every perceivable angle before. 

While some of the satirical punches are obvious, Triangle of Sadness has enough here to provoke and entertain alike, with a superbly impressive performance from Charlbi Dean.

★★★