Suitable Flesh – Film Review

Joe Lynch‘s Suitable Flesh, written by Dennis Paoli, takes viewers on a journey into the depths of the human mind. Drawing from the terrifying short story “The Thing on the Doorstep” by H.P. Lovecraft, the film deftly combines supernatural horrors, existential dread, and body-swapping in an intricate story. The film fails to fully realize the potential of its intriguing premise, despite having a talented cast that includes Heather Graham, Judah Lewis, Bruce Davison, Johnathon Schaech, and Barbara Crampton.

The film excels at establishing a real sense of unease, which is one of its strongest points. A sense of impending doom is effectively established by the cinematography and haunting score, which heightens the tension throughout the story. The film’s horror elements are enhanced by the grotesque and unsettling visuals, which have a profound effect on the viewer’s mind. Scenes in the cellar, filled with grotesque drawings and heaps of flesh, are especially unsettling and highlight the film’s commitment to visual horror.

As Dr. Elizabeth Derby, Heather Graham gives a remarkable performance, convincingly capturing the character’s fragility and eroding sanity. Elizabeth’s internal conflict as she struggles against the supernatural forces that threaten to consume her is captured in Graham’s portrayal. Judah Lewis, who plays Asa Waite, also excels, perfectly capturing the dark essence of the role. The performances of Bruce Davison, Johnathon Schaech, and Barbara Crampton in the supporting cast are commendable as they contribute to the overall plausibility of the film’s universe.

Suitable Flesh stumbles in telling the story, though. Though the idea of the story is intriguing, as it develops it becomes more complicated and challenging to follow. The audience finds it difficult to connect with the characters’ experiences because of the sudden changes between body-swapping scenes and the actual world, which leave them perplexed. The film’s pacing is also unreliable, with extended stretches of inaction intercut with bursts of furious action. These contradictions break the flow of the movie and lessen the impact of its pivotal scenes.

Furthermore, even though the film’s incorporation of graphic violence and body horror works well to create shock value, it frequently comes across as excessive and gratuitous. Some viewers might find the graphic gory and mutilation scenes offensive, overpowering the film’s attempt to explore an underlying psychological horror. The emphasis on physical terror takes away from the subtlety and nuance that could have been used to explore the characters’ psyches on a deeper level, losing out on the chance to produce a more profound and psychologically disturbing experience.

Despite its shortcomings, Suitable Flesh explores themes of identity, possession, and the brittle boundaries of the self, managing to arouse feelings of existential dread and terror. The film’s bold attempt to combine psychological thriller and Lovecraftian horror elements is admirable, but its execution falls short of creating a narrative that is truly immersive and cohesive.

The visually striking and thematically ambitious horror film Suitable Flesh finds it difficult to reconcile its supernatural premise with its psychological nuance. The film’s overall impact is diminished by its haphazard narrative and overuse of graphic violence, despite its strong performances and eerie atmosphere. Suitable Flesh delivers a visceral and visually intense horror experience for viewers looking for that kind of experience, but those who are in the market for a more cohesive and psychologically rich story may find themselves wishing for a more expertly done version of its intriguing premise.