A new trailer for director Brady Corbet's VOX LUX has taken center stage, featuring a look at Natalie Portman's dynamic stage presence as she introduces fans to an original pop ballad titled "Wrapped Up" by the singing sensation Sia. As the mood of the trailer darkens, it's difficult not to become flooded with emotion as Portman sings "Turn the light on, because I've got no one to show me the way." She then continues, "And I'm so lucky to be with you keeping me from my shadow." With that, it's "Niagara Falls, Frankie. Niagara Falls."
The story of VOX LUX begins in 1999 when teenage Celeste (Raffey Cassidy) survives a violent tragedy. After singing at a memorial service, Celeste transforms into a burgeoning pop star with the help of her songwriter sister (Stacy Martin) and talent manager (Jude Law). Celete's meteoric rise to fame dovetails with a personal and national loss of innocence, consequently elevating the young powerhouse to a new kind of celebrity: American icon, secular deity, global superstar.
By 2017, adult Celeste (Natalie Portman) is mounting a comeback after a scandalous incident almost derailed her career. Touring in support of her sixth album, a compendium of sci-fi anthems entitled, "Vox Lux," the indomitable, foul-mouthed pop savior must overcome her personal and familial struggles to navigate motherhood, madness and monolithic fame.
In the trailer, we join Celeste as she undergoes her transformation from a shy teenage songbird to one of the most influential divas ever to grace the stage. The journey looks to be hard fought, as those around her appear to revel in the act of kicking the songstress when she's down. However, shameful acts can often stoke a fire rather than stamp it out, and in Celeste's case, I've a feeling that she'll transmute that abuse into musical gold before the film is through.
VOX LUX is set to take the spotlight in theaters on December 7th, with a wide release planned for December 14th.
