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Triangle of Sadness

Triangle of Sadness is a 2022 satirical written and directed by filmmaker in his English-language feature debut. The examines social hierarchies and wealth disparities through the story of a luxury cruise for the ultra-wealthy that capsizes, stranding survivors—including a couple of influencers and a Filipina cleaner—on a deserted island where class roles invert. Starring , the late , and , it premiered at the , where it won the , marking Östlund's second time receiving the festival's top prize after The Square in 2017. While praised by some for its provocative critique of and received an eight-minute at , the has drawn criticism for its heavy-handed execution, reliance on gross-out humor, and perceived lack of nuance in satirizing power structures, with detractors arguing it indulges in simplistic class warfare tropes rather than offering deeper insights.

Synopsis

Part 1: Carl and Yaya

Carl, portrayed by , is introduced as a male model attending a casting call in the fashion industry, where he and other aspiring models are instructed by agents to relax their facial expressions, specifically the "triangle of sadness"—the furrowed area between the eyebrows and forehead that conveys and must be smoothed for marketability. The agents critique Carl's subtle wrinkling in this region, highlighting the of male beauty and the precarious nature of modeling careers, where even minor imperfections can jeopardize bookings. Carl's professional struggles contrast with his relationship with Yaya, played by , a more successful model and influencer who secures work while he faces inconsistent opportunities. The couple's dynamic is explored through a tense dinner conversation at a , where traditional expectations clash with modern egalitarian ideals. Carl insists on splitting the bill to reflect their respective earnings—Yaya's higher from influencing and modeling versus his lesser success—but she resists, viewing his focus on finances as unappealing and preferring he cover it to maintain her sense of desirability. This negotiation underscores their reversed economic roles, with Carl advocating for equality in a patriarchal context while Yaya leverages her financial advantage, revealing underlying tensions in their partnership centered on attractiveness, status, and provision.

References

  1. [1]
    Triangle of Sadness (2022) - IMDb
    Rating 7.2/10 (209,296) A cruise for the super-rich sinks thus leaving survivors, including a fashion model celebrity couple, trapped on an island.Triangle of Sadness · Official Trailer · Awards · Plot
  2. [2]
    TRIANGLE OF SADNESS - Festival de Cannes
    May 21, 2022 · Models Carl and Yaya are navigating the world of fashion while exploring the boundaries of their relationship.
  3. [3]
    'Triangle of Sadness' Wins Palme d'Or at Cannes
    May 28, 2022 · The satire “Triangle of Sadness,” from the Swedish director Ruben Ostlund, won the Palme d'Or at the 75th Cannes Film Festival at a ceremony here on Saturday.
  4. [4]
    Ruben Ostlund on his film 'Triangle of Sadness' that won the ... - NPR
    Oct 15, 2022 · It won the Palme d'Or prize and received an eight-minute standing ovation. The film stars Harris Dickinson, the late Charlbi Dean, Dolly De Leon ...
  5. [5]
    The Delusional Triangle of Sadness - National Review
    Oct 26, 2022 · Triangle of Sadness's story about competitive fashion models/social-media influencers Carl (Harris Dickinson) and Yaya (Charlbi Dean) turns apocalyptic.
  6. [6]
    Triangle of Sadness review – heavy-handed satire on the super-rich ...
    May 21, 2022 · Ruben Östlund's new movie is a heavy-handed Euro-satire, without the subtlety and insight of his breakthrough movie Force Majeure.
  7. [7]
    Triangle Of Sadness Ending Explained: Models, Grenades, And ...
    May 6, 2023 · The men are instructed to relax their "triangle of sadness," the area between the bridge of the nose and the forehead, where brows get furrowed ...
  8. [8]
    Triangle of Sadness - Fast Film Reviews
    Dec 15, 2022 · The script explains that a “triangle of sadness” is the furrowed brow of wrinkles due to tension in the face. An alternate explanation is that ...
  9. [9]
    Triangle of Sadness - Reviews - Reverse Shot
    Oct 17, 2022 · Afterwards, Carl has a meeting with casting agents who whisper and frown when he walks. It's a cutthroat industry, and Carl's not A-list ...Missing: agency | Show results with:agency
  10. [10]
    'Triangle of Sadness' – Review - Offscreen Central
    Oct 7, 2022 · After a successful ad campaign years ago, Carl struggles to book gigs while Yaya is getting runway work. A conversation, literally spelled out, ...Missing: plot summary
  11. [11]
    'Triangle of Sadness' Director Breaks Down a Dinner Date Scene
    Oct 10, 2022 · Carl is cornered. He has a wall just behind his back. But when we were shooting it, we wanted it to be that. Yaya have more space behind ...Missing: poolside | Show results with:poolside
  12. [12]
    Cannes 2022 review: Triangle of Sadness (Ruben Östlund)
    May 21, 2022 · The film opens with a discussion between Carl and Yaya about gender roles in a patriarchal society, with Carl advocating gender equality by ...Missing: plot summary