What Happens When You Put Shia LaBeouf in a Cage

If you were the slightest bit confused by Sia's video for "Chandelier" starring Dance Moms star Maddie Ziegler, you are about to be especially puzzled by her latest video for "Elastic Heart." Ziegler is back for round two in her nude leotard and blonde Sia wig — and she's brought a very famous co-star with her. This time, Ziegler is joined by Shia LaBeouf, and they're trapped in a giant birdcage together, covered in dirt. At first, I thought LaBeouf was entirely naked, but don't worry. It's just skintight, nude colored underwear. Phew.

It's an odd pairing, for sure, especially if Ziegler and LaBeouf are supposed to be playing lovers as the song's lyrics suggest. At just 12 years old, Ziegler is obviously way too young to be 28-year-old LaBeouf's love interest, so I think it's safe to assume that they could just be two exhausted, erratically dancing strangers, trying to fight their way out — or, even more likely, that they're a father and daughter with a damaged relationship. There's no dialog, just dancing, and in the end, Ziegler realizes she can easily slip through the cage's bars while LaBeouf doesn't fit. Or maybe he doesn't want to fit. Maybe he wants to stay in his cage.

Either way, from that part on, she slips in and out of the cage as she pleases, and even when she tries to pull LaBeouf out with her, he refuses to budge. I'll admit that I'm not the best at interpreting art, especially where dance is concerned, but Sia and her fellow director David Askill have put together something beautiful.

Regardless of the meaning you take away from the video, it's clear that Sia's bringing something totally new to the table. I love her keen, artistic approach toward her videos, and that she's chosen to bring Ziegler back for this one. Ziegler is obviously incredibly talented, especially since she managed to pull something out of LaBeouf that I wasn't aware he still had in him.

Well done, Sia — now, maybe you can explain what I'm actually supposed to be seeing in this video?

Image: Sia, "Electric Heart"