WARNING: This review contains minor spoilers and some adult content. Those of a sensitive constitution read at your own risk.
The internet is a wonderful tool when coming to promote new movies these days and help gain a following months before the movie is even out. In the old days, producers were restricted to having trailers in cinemas just before the main feature, along with TV commercials and posters. Now, with sites like YouTube, movie studios can place their advertisements on the world wide web for all to see, gaining popularity through viral campaigns and what have you. It’s also a great tool for independent film makers who don’t have a large budget to make the audience aware of their up and coming feature.
And this was the case with The Human Centipede, at the time one of the most talked about – and arguably the most controversial – horror movie. The interest around this film was massive before it had even come out in cinemas; and even then it had a limited run. But then, what wasn’t there to get excited about. The concept of the film is about a guy that sows three people together, mouth to, ahem, backside, to create the eponymous Human Centipede. And can you believe this actually came about from an idea the director had about what would be a fitting punishment for sex offenders?
Now, admittedly I’m not a huge fan of horror movies, so I didn’t exactly rush to see this movie. I just think horror movies these days have lost a lot of impact that they used to have. Whereas in the old days horror movies tried to creep their audience out through atmosphere and haunting visuals, nowadays it’s just all gore and stupid main characters. I just don’t think movies these days are that scary anymore. However, I heard a LOT of people that had seen this movie, saying how gross it was and that it was one of the creepiest films they had ever seen. Some people who haven’t seen the film even get creeped out by the very idea of the movie.
Ok, I was starting to get interested. But seeing as the film wasn’t shown in any cinemas in my area (at least to the best of my knowledge), I decided to wait until it came on TV to see it. And it just so happened that, last night, I stumbled across it. So I stayed up and watched it, with the many predetermined thoughts that my mind had been filled with. I expected this movie to make me feel physically sick and disturbed afterwards.
So come around 1:00am, when the film had finished, how did I feel? Honestly, I felt somewhat disappointed. Not by the movie, the movie I thought was actually pretty good – but for all the hype, I was surprised at how – restrained it was in many ways.
I don’t think I need to go too much into the plot as I’m pretty sure you would have already guessed what it is by the title – a mad scientist capturing three young people with the intention of creating his own twisted monster. That’s pretty much it. Not much in the way of plot I’ll admit, but I think the movie does the best it can with what it has. The whole way through the film there is a certain feel of helplessness and being trapped, which the movie does very well. It has a certain lovecraftian feel to it – that’s not to say that they are assaulted by outerspace gods, but rather that they cannot escape the horror no matter how much they try.
Personally, I think the creepiest parts of the film come from the first part, building up to the Human Centipede itself. There is a real sense of fear that is carried across very well and we can really sense the terror from the protagonists. Some reviewers complained that the main actresses were not very good and just spent the whole time screaming, but to be fair I think they did all right. And to be fair, I think I’d probably spend the whole day screaming if I had to go through what they did!
Honestly though, when it comes to the actual creation of the Human Centipede, I gotta be honest, I just found these scenes unintentionally hilarious! Don’t get me wrong, I really felt for the guys that had to go through this torment – but a couple of the scenes just made me laugh, though I guess that was just out of being uncomfortable. I think one of the most infamous scenes of the film was the part where one of the characters, the head of the centipede, has to, er, relieve himself and because the other two girls are connected to his backside, they have to eat his... leavings. This scene is actually not as gross as it looks on screen as it’s only implied what happens. Still, the idea of it is pretty sick so I guess that’s why people would get upset.
Now let’s talk about one of the highlights for me. Dieter Laser as the mad doctor. I’ve never really heard of this actor before now and as far as I’m aware, the only other English speaking role he’s done was in the TV seires Lexx, which I never saw. But let me tell you, he is frigging brilliant in this film! He plays the character of Doctor Heiter with all the insanity and psychotic mentality that you expect from a mad scientist – and he’s so entertaining to watch. Even when he’s being disturbing, you still can’t take your eyes away from him. There are times when he is a little over the top and can be a bit campy, but otherwise he is brilliant – I hope he plays more villain roles in the future.
There were, however, a couple of things about the movie that kinda puzzled me. Ie, the scene when one of the girls almost has a chance to escape, but then goes back to save her friend, who is drugged and comatose. Whilst I understand she was trying to save her friend, surely it would have been better for her to go and get help and then come back, especially when her friend would have slowed her down. Then again, I find with a lot of horror movies, logic doesn’t factor into it.
Another thing, and this is the thing that most interests me about the movie – apparently what they do in the movie is 100% medically accurate and this is the selling point of the movie. I can take it or leave it as to whether it’s true or not. But here’s my question – WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO DO THIS ANYWAY? What possible scientific benefit could this have to the world? How could anyone come to this conclusion, did the doctor just wake up one day and think “you know what would be pretty good – a human centipede! Yes, brilliant! I’ll win a noble prize for that!”
But, all joking aside, I think the most disturbing part of it is the ending. I won’t ruin it, but those of you who have read the short story I have no mouth and I must scream will probably understand what I mean.
I must admit this is by far one of the more stand out horror movies and in a sea of crappy slasher flicks, this one actually does at least try to be different. It has a sinister and at times shocking feel to it, but for all the hype of the disgusting nature of the film, there is actually very little visual horror, and actually little gore to it. It makes you use your imagination to try and guess what is happening, and that in turn makes it a much scarier film. And at the end of the day, isn’t that what horror is supposed to do, allow your imagination to create the horror?
Disturbing? No question. Sick and twisted? Absolutely. Campy? In places, yes. The most contraversal horror of all time? I’m gonna say no. There are certainly more disgusting movies out there, such as A Serbian Film and the unrated version of Caligula – but The Human Centipede is certainly worth checking out. If you have a weak stomach and the idea of this film sickens you, then I’d stay away. But, if you’re looking for a horror movie that doesn’t rely on heavy gore to get the terror, then this is the movie for you.
And if you thought the plot for this film was demented, then you should see the plot synopsis for the sequel...
The Human Centipede - Copyright 2010 IFC Films/Six Entertainment
All material used/mentioned is for reviewing purposes and no intention of copyright infridgement is intended.
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