Tatler Reviews: Ruben Östlund's 'Triangle of Sadness'

Audiences flocked to the Gateway Cineplex for the opening of this year's QCinema and watched the premiere of the Palme d'Or-winning film "Triangle of Sadness." Here's what the Tatler team thinks about it

Ruben Östlund's Palme d'Or-winning film Triangle of Sadness is the opener of this year's Qcinema film festival. Exploring the notions of privilege, Östlund's movie sends billionaire guests and their staff to a deserted island where a toilet attendant's wit as the only thing they can rely on.

“When we started to make this film I think we had one goal—to really, really try to make an exciting film for the audience and bring thought-provoking content. We wanted to entertain them, we wanted them to ask themselves questions, we wanted them to after the screening go out and have something to talk about,” Östlund said.

In this article, the Tatler team gives its take on the movie. Fair warning, spoilers ahead:

Christine Andas, Features Writer

Above Christine Andas

To put it simply, it was difficult to sit through the entirety of Triangle of Sadness without cringing.

The satirical film directed by Ruben Östlund, which won Palme d'Or at Cannes Film Fest, stars a spectacular cast including award-winning actor Woody Harrelson, who played the unhinged cruise captain, and Filipina actress Dolly de Leon, who completely steered the latter part of the movie.

The movie has a few memorable characters—which is both its strength and weakness. At some point, I was completely invested in Captain Thomas and Dimitry’s relationship and completely lost interest in Carl and Yaya. But that was before Abigail had everyone—including the audience—in the palm of her hand, showing how money and power have a strong hold on each and every one of us.

Östlund is known for marrying humour and social commentary in his work, which he has remarkably done once again in this allegory. This ugly truth, amplified with revolting imagery (that isn't too far from reality), makes for a compelling visual experience that everyone needs to see. Just don't forget your barf bag.

Jove Moya, Features Writer

Above Jove Moya

When a social commentary as good and comical as Triangle of Sadness demands a review, I often find myself in the middle of so many self-contentions—first, how am I supposed to write something off of a movie that goes against the whole ethos of a lifestyle writer's career? Event coverages and establishing connections here and there. . .the job takes me nowhere else but in the circles that Östlund's plot seeks to antagonise (and make fun of).

On the yacht, it seems as if the filmmaker wants us to think that the rich are so full of themselves they would rather maintain good rapport within their respective groups than give a damn about a world that crumbles before their eyes. The working class is left with no other choice but to live in the same delusion and pamper the masters so they can reap what little pity the latter has to offer.

Eventually, the captain slaps us with the truth: nobody is more indifferent to the woes of the underprivileged than the people whose penny they crave and devote their lives to. Some days the wealthy turn themselves into well-meaning philanthropists with the motives of cleaning their conscience and leaving the world as saints.

When Abigail's (Dolly de Leon) lifeboat docked on the "deserted" island, she easily domesticates the macho men and makes the castaways work in her favour, a true testament to Marxist theories that our behaviour is going to change depending on which position we have in the social hierarchy.

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Tatler Review: Ruben Östlund's 'Triangle of Sadness'

Christine Andas, Features Writer

Jove Moya, Features Writer