Cronenberg must have chosen Pattinson to play the billionaire capitalist Eric Packer because of Pattinson’s pop star success at the time, it was a clever move and works like a dream. I’ve read a few DiLillo books and his themes of power, technology, violence and terrorism run parallel with what interests Cronenberg. Rewatching or rereading Cosmopolis today in late 2020 is quite eye-opening; set in New York City, the grim story with its countercultural anarchists and rioting in the streets prior to a visit by the U.S. President now seems despairingly prophetic (same with The Dark Knight Rises).

Cosmopolis is also a great adaptation of DiLillo’s novel. The film was released back when it was still in vogue to crap on Pattinson. I hadn’t seen any of the Twilight films, so I went in open-minded

Crash is a stunning piece of work, a chrome tone poem.

I also love Crash so much, such a unique film

M Butterfly is beautifully done on every level, the final scene between Jeremy Irons and John Lone stands out in my memory as well as Irons’ final performance in the prison.
By the way, Cronenberg’s films always have the most exquisite title sequences.

i love M Butterfly so underrated

Pattinson has a cool presence and was fortunate to have worked with Cronenberg twice. I don’t understand reviews of Cosmopolis that simply say, “That film was shit. Everyone in that film sucked.” Cosmopolis is an extension of Cronenberg’s previous pictures and then flows nicely into Maps to the Stars, Cronenberg’s movies are always consistent and uncompromising in their themes. Also, Cronenberg’s filming of cars and their interiors in Crash and Cosmopolis is unique and beautiful, I’ve never seen anything like it.