‘Club Zero’ 2023 Review: An Exasperating Misfire

Jessica Hausner, the esteemed Austrian director known for her refined and cool style, has garnered acclaim at Cannes and beyond, particularly for her 2009 masterpiece ‘Lourdes,’ a modern classic exploring the realm of miracles. Unfortunately, her latest offering, ‘Club Zero,’ continues this trend of disappointment and bewilderment.

‘Club Zero’ presents itself as a commentary on body image, eating disorders and western consumerism, but falls short of delivering any meaningful insights on these themes. The film’s “trigger warning” disclaimer feels insincere, and its deadpan delivery and sluggish pace only serve to frustrate the viewer.

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Despite being visually striking, thanks to Martin Gschlacht’s cinematography and Beck Rainford’s meticulous design, the narrative meanders aimlessly, leaving audiences feeling lost in a labyrinth of disjointed scenes.

Set in an exclusive private school catering to affluent families, the film follows the arrival of Ms. Novak (Mia Wasikowska), a charismatic teacher promoting a radical approach to food consumption called Conscious Eating. Under her influence, a group of students becomes ensnared in her dangerous ideology, culminating in the formation of Club Zero, a clandestine society advocating for complete abstinence from food.

While ‘Club Zero’ attempts to address weighty issues, it lacks the clarity and depth of recent films like ‘A Banquet’ and ‘The Wonder,’ which tackled similar themes with greater nuance and impact. Hausner’s film falls short in its exploration of sexual politics and fails to develop meaningful narrative arcs, resorting instead to tired clichés and superficial satire.

Moreover, the film’s avoidance of explicit terms like “bulimia” and “anorexia” feels contrived, raising questions about its artistic integrity and thematic coherence. Instead of confronting the harsh realities of eating disorders, ‘Club Zero’ opts for obfuscation, undermining its credibility and diminishing the impact of its message.