High-rise: best J.G. Ballard movie ever?

J.G. Ballard is one of those authors whose works inevitably fall into the hard-to-translate from the printed page – given the deep layers of complexity, unease and paranoia that seep through most of his works. But here comes High-Rise, complete with faux-1970s feels, from director Ben Wheatley, with a cast including Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irons, Sienna Miller, Luke Evans and Elisabeth Moss.

Two miles west of London, Dr. Robert Laing moves into his new apartment seeking anonymity, only to find that the building’s residents have no intention of leaving him alone.

Resigned to the complex social dynamics unfolding around him, Laing bites the bullet and becomes neighbourly. As he struggles to establish his position, Laing’s good manners and sanity disintegrate along with the building.

The lights go out and the lifts fail but the party goes on. People are the problem. Booze is the currency. Sex is the panacea. Only much later, as he sits on his balcony eating the architect’s dog, does Dr. Robert Laing finally feel at home. Or does he? Yah ha-ha.