Poor

The film is presented as a series of interconnected narratives. One story follows a teenage boy who is shunned by society after his father dies of a mysterious disease, eventually becoming a pariah. Another segment depicts a woman who is interviewed about her supposed involvement in a gruesome murder. A third strand focuses on a scientist who experiments with a new serum that has unpredictable and horrific side effects.

Poison received critical acclaim for its audacious style and challenging themes. It was praised for its bold exploration of social alienation, disease, and repressed desires, establishing Todd Haynes as a significant new voice in independent cinema.

• Praised for its distinctive visual style and its unflinching examination of taboo subjects.
• Hailed as a provocative and intellectually engaging debut that pushed the boundaries of independent filmmaking.
• Noted for its unsettling atmosphere and its ability to evoke a sense of dread and unease.

Google audience: Audience reception data for "Poison" is not readily available on Google.

Won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival in 1987.

The film's distinct visual style was heavily influenced by the pulp paperback novels of the 1950s, particularly those with lurid cover art, which director Todd Haynes collected.