High-Rise (2015)

About High-Rise

High-Rise is a British dystopian drama directed by Ben Wheatley and based on the 1975 novel of the same name by J.G. Ballard. The movie presents a microcosmic society set within a luxury high-rise building.

The plot revolves around Dr. Robert Laing, a newcomer to the high-rise, as he explores the class disparities that govern the complex social hierarchy of the building. As the amenities of the high-rise begin to fail, the social order rapidly devolves into chaos.

Making / Production

The movie was produced by Jeremy Thomas, who had been an admirer of the novel for a long time, with the screenplay was written by Amy Jump. Filming took place in Northern Ireland in 2014.

Actors

• Tom Hiddleston as Dr. Robert Laing: A charming yet enigmatic physiologist, who becomes embroiled in the complex politics of the high-rise. Hiddleston excellently portrays the detached observer, revealing Laing’s fascination and horror with the unfolding chaos.
• Sienna Miller as Charlotte Melville: A stylish single mother, who infuses her character with a sense of mystery and allure.
• Jeremy Irons as Anthony Royal: The architect of the high-rise, portrayed with a godlike complexity by Irons, who implies both benevolence and manipulation.
• Luke Evans as Richard Wilder: A rebellious documentary filmmaker, played with brutish charisma by Evans, who seeks to expose the truth of the high-rise.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The movie is shot with a digital 5k resolution on RED EPIC Dragon cameras to achieve its unique aesthetic.
• Jeremy Thomas had been trying to adapt the novel into a movie since the 1970s.
• The film's setting, while futuristic, maintains a strong sense of the 1970s aesthetic to stay true to the original novel's publication period.

Quotes

• "You can't put your finger on it, but things are beginning to fall apart."
• "There's no food, no drink, no electricity. But there is manhandling. Lots and lots of manhandling."
• "Prone to fits of mania, narcissism, and power failure."

Music, Soundtrack

• The film's score was composed by Clint Mansell, known for his atmospheric and emotive soundscapes.
• It includes notable tracks like “SOS (ABBA cover)” – by Portishead, and “Cine-Camera Cinema” – by The Slits.