Synopsis:
This German horror anthology features three films all of which focus on the dark, violent, and disturbing nature of love and sex were written and directed by three controversial underground filmmakers: the legendary Jörg Buttgereit, Andreas Marschall, and Michal Kosakowski.
It’s been a while since I got the chance to sit down and really pay attention to a horror film. It isn’t that I’m not consistently immersed in the genre, more that I tend to have old standby’s running in the background while I work. That being said, sometimes my attention is caught, and I have to stop and appreciate something. This was one of those instances. I glanced at the synopsis, and a name jumped out at me. Jörg Buttgereit, mostly known as the director of the infamous Necromantik films ( as well as decent follow ups; Der Todesking and Schramm ), is a pioneer of German envelope pushing horror and the reason I sat down and really give this one a chance. It’d also been a while since I watched something from the more extreme end of the spectrum ( last one was Deep Web XXX, and I spent most of that flick’s runtime checking the internet for something to give a fuck about.)
Buttgereit’s
Final Girl is the first of the three and it definitely delivers the sort of visceral and poetic presentation he’s known for. It begins during the end, with the titular girl contemplating the path that led her to her current position. Said position being straddling her bound, piece of shit father and wielding a pair of scissors meant for a very specific task. A simple premise, and a familiar one, but before anyone goes spitting on any graves, there’s plenty done here to set it apart, and the lead performance coupled with fantastic direction totally lived up to my expectations.
Next up is Michal Kosakowski’s
Make A Wish, and while I am not familiar with him, the sophomore entry in this anthology doesn’t disappoint. The story involves a deaf polish couple wandering through an abandoned building in Berlin, flirting and seemingly enjoying their alone time. Unfortunately, a group of thugs enters stage left, and puts an immediate and rather brutal halt to their fun. However, our innocent victims aren’t as helpless as they seem. The truly interesting part of this one, is the rather up front and stark light that Kosakowski shines on a uncomfortable and unavoidable issue that has plagued Europe since the war. Here, the nature of oppression and inherited hate are explored with a supernatural twist. I found the segment managed to present this very real and ugly topic without being pretentious or turning into a straight morality play.
Lastly, we have
Alraune from Andreas Marschall, and it’s certainly not the least. This one concerns a guy who is regaling his almost ex girlfriend with the tale of what went down when he decided to meet with a girl he met through a porn site. But, rather than being “ Catfished “, he embarks on a dark and bizarre sexual odyssey that definitely delivers on equal parts horror and sleaze. This one sports a Cronenberg feel, with some excellent visuals and a compelling narrative that pulls you in and holds you close, forcing you to revel in the debauchery that precedes something sinister.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this flick and ( while the subject matter isn’t for everyone ) there’s plenty here to like. In the end, I came for the old, stayed for the new, and enjoyed the ride.
7/10
05-03-2019, 04:15 PM
