Critics Hated It—Now This Tom Hiddleston Film Is a Must-Watch on Netflix

J.G. Ballard’s 1975 novel High-Rise is a brilliant, unsettling exploration of societal decay, one of many that cemented his reputation for turning humanity’s darkest impulses into stark art. Known for its sharp satire and eerie prescience, Ballard’s work has long intrigued filmmakers, with adaptations spanning from David Cronenberg’s Crash to Steven Spielberg’s Empire of the Sun. But one of his most famous works, High-Rise, was adapted to film in 2015 by British director Ben Wheatley, and while the movie received mixed reviews, it may just surpass its source material in both impact and execution. The film, now streaming on Netflix, is a visually arresting dystopian nightmare that invites viewers to dive into its claustrophobic, deranged world—and in doing so, elevates the novel’s chilling narrative to a whole new level of disturbing.

High-Rise follows Robert Laing (played by Tom Hiddleston), a doctor who moves into a sleek, state-of-the-art high-rise building in London, designed to offer everything its residents could ever need. The building’s amenities include its own grocery store, spa, gym, and more, catering to the upper-class professionals living within. But soon, the building’s idyllic setting begins to unravel, as power outages, escalating debauchery, and class warfare force its residents into a downward spiral of chaos.

Wheatley’s adaptation takes Ballard’s already chilling satire of societal collapse and amplifies it with vivid imagery, accentuating the growing barbarity that overtakes the residents as their lives descend into a war of class and survival. Hiddleston’s portrayal of Laing—initially the audience’s anchor and soon one of the many corrupted by the building’s madness—brings a subtle yet powerful transformation, moving from curious observer to willing participant in the chaos.

In comparison to Ballard’s novel, the film intensifies the impact of the material. Ballard’s writing, often detached and clinical in tone, allowed readers to imagine the horrors themselves. However, Wheatley’s film provides a more visceral experience, rendering the horrors in full color and detail. The novel’s stark, detached prose might have worked to distance the reader from the events, while the film pulls the audience into the story with alarming immediacy. The result is a cinematic experience that feels more pressing and oppressive than the novel’s somewhat colder narrative.

Though High-Rise was met with mixed reactions upon release, many of the qualities that critics pointed to as flaws—its chilly tone, emphasis on surface style, and brutal violence—are now seen as strengths. The film’s disturbing visuals, its sterile, almost clinical aesthetic, and the rapid degeneration of its characters all reflect the dehumanizing effect of the high-rise itself. The building’s Brutalist architecture, gleaming mirrors, and sharp angles serve as both a physical setting and a metaphor for the growing instability of the residents’ lives. As the residents’ behavior devolves into savagery, the building—once a symbol of modern luxury—becomes something of a character itself, representing the hollow, fragile structure of society that crumbles under pressure.

The film also evokes the works of Cronenberg, especially in its mix of disturbing body horror and detached, almost nihilistic tone. Jeremy Irons, who plays the architect and first resident of the high-rise, Anthony Royal, brings a chilling gravitas to his role—his performance reminiscent of his work in Cronenberg’s Dead Ringers as the twisted gynecologists. The film’s exploration of violence, chaos, and dehumanization invites comparisons to Cronenberg’s own explorations of the grotesque, offering a stylish and thought-provoking experience that lingers long after the credits roll.

Ultimately, High-Rise is a stunning, if deeply unsettling, exploration of class, decadence, and collapse. While the 1975 novel offered a masterclass in satire, the film takes Ballard’s vision to the next level, offering a visceral, visual experience that immerses the viewer in the madness and depravity of its characters. For those intrigued by dystopian narratives and willing to endure the film’s brutal commentary on societal decay, High-Rise proves to be a gripping and powerful ride. And now, with the film available for streaming on Netflix, there’s no better time to witness the madness unfold on-screen.