The Poor Things cast features Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo and Willem Dafoe. This info article contains minor spoilers and cast/character summaries for Yorgos Lanthimos’ 2023 movie on Hulu. Check out more streaming guides in Vague Visages’ Know the Cast category, and then browse complete soundtrack song listings in the Soundtracks of Cinema section.

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Poor Things takes place in Victorian London. After a woman commits suicide, a mad scientist reanimates her with the brain of her unborn child. The narrative follows Bella Baxter as she experiences a sexual awakening. Here’s every actor and character in Poor Things, an adaptation of Alasdair Gray’s 1992 novel.

Read More at VV — Know the Cast & Characters: ‘Self Reliance’

Poor Things Cast: Emma Stone as Bella Baxter

Character Profile: A reanimated woman with the brain of a child. She experiences various epiphanies while developing sexual relationships. Bella embraces her “grand adventure.”

Stone’s Resume: Olive in Easy A (2010), Skeeter Phelan in The Help (2011), Gwen Stacy in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014), Mia in La La Land (2016), Whitney Siegel in The Curse (2023)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Death and Other Details’

Poor Things Cast: Mark Ruffalo as Duncan Wedderburn

Character Profile: Bella’s love interest. He is a lawyer with a weak bladder. Duncan believes that polite society destroys one’s soul.

Ruffalo’s Resume: Paul in The Kids Are All Right (2010), Bruce Banner/The Hulk in the MCU (2012-), David Schultz in Foxcatcher (2014), Mike Rezendes in Spotlight (2015), Rob Bilott in Dark Waters (2019)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘The Mill’

Poor Things Cast: Willem Dafoe as Godwin Baxter

Character Profile: Bella’s caretaker. He is a surgeon who reanimates a corpse with the brain of a child. Dr. Baxter suffers from a terminal disease.

Dafoe’s Resume: Sergeant Elias in Platoon (1986), Green Goblin/Norman Osborn in Spider-Man(2002), Bobby in The Florida Project (2017), Vincent van Gogh in At Eternity’s Gate (2018), Thomas Wake in The Lighthouse (2019)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Black Cake’

Poor Things Cast: Ramy Youssef as Max McCandles

Character Profile: A medical student. He pursues a marriage with Bella. Max shows patience with dealing with the protagonist’s sexual awakening.

Youssef’s Resume: Kevin in See Dad Run (2012-14), Samar Swailem in Mr. Robot (2017), Drinker in Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot (2018), Ramy in Ramy (2019-2022), Safi in Wish (2023)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘No One Will Save You’

Poor Things Cast: Christopher Abbott as Alfie Blessington

Character Profile: The husband of a suicide victim. He is a sadistic man who tracks down Bella. Alfie experiences a twist of fate during the film’s final act.

Abbott’s Resume: James White in James White (2015), Will in It Comes at Night (2017), Yossarian in Catch-22 (2019), Colin Tate in Possessor (2020), Stan Camisa in The Crowded Room (2023)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘The Other Black Girl’

Poor Things Cast: Jerrod Carmichael as Harry Astley

Character Profile: Bella’s friend. He views philosophy as waste of time. Harry urges Bella not to accept the “lie of religion.”

Carmichael’s Resume: A Popular Stand-Up Comedian — Also, Jerrod Carmichael in The Carmichael Show (2015-17), Paco in Ferdinand (2017), Security Guard in Mid90s (2018), Val in On the Count of Three (2021)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Appendage’

The Poor Things cast also includes:

• Suzy Bemba as Toinette
• Kathryn Hunter as Swiney
• Vicki Pepperdine as Mrs. Prim
• Margaret Qualley as Felicity
• Hanna Schygulla as Martha von Kurtzroc
• Keeley Forsyth as Allison the maid
• John Locke as David the butler
• Kate Handford as Kitty
• Owen Good as Gerald
• Damien Bonnard as Father

Q.V. Hough (@QVHough) is Vague Visages’ founding editor.