Ben Wheatley continues to dominate the genre as he has put one hell of a thumb print on it over the last few years with Kill List, Sightseers, and the bat shit crazy A Field in England. His next feature is perhaps his biggest yet as it will be an adaptation of J.G. Ballard’s novel High Rise and it will see Tom Hiddleston (above) take the lead. Wheatley and Hiddleston teaming up is exciting enough, but wait until you see what the film is about.
Here’s the synopsis for the novel:
When a class war erupts inside a luxurious apartment block, modern elevators become violent battlegrounds and cocktail parties degenerate into marauding attacks on “enemy” floors. In this visionary tale, human society slips into violent reverse as once-peaceful residents, driven by primal urges, re-create a world ruled by the laws of the jungle.
Almost has a The Raid vibe doesn’t it? If the film retains Wheatley’s signature style of brutality—and I’m almost certain that it will—I can see this being one for the ages. It’s time to see what Hiddleston can really do, folks! Here’s the poster created by artist Jay Shaw.
Sounds great Ryan. I’ve yet to catch up with A field in England but really liked Kill list and Sightseers.
Oh, man. A Field in England is batty as hell and a lot different from his other stuff. Probably the strangest movie I’ve ever seen!
Sounds even better to me now. I have a copy so I’ll have to get around to sticking it on. Cheers Ryan.
Awesome! Looking forward to seeing your thoughts on it!
Excited to see this as a fan of Ballard. This was one of the first novels of his that I read and it has stayed with me ever since.
That’s very cool, man! I’ve heard a lot of great things about the novel. Wheatley will definitely do a solid job of bringing this one to life, that’s for sure.