Blog Archives

Excision (2012)

z8mbE3GyIsdsvPealu1CP5euUjZ

A fantastic achievement in understanding the makings of the psychotically sexual and delusional. Excision does away with the genre’s mishaps and stereotypes to bring an honest, frightening reality to the big screen. Despite its ambitious, yet ambiguous ending that will certainly frustrate many. Excision is utterly consistent in its approach and never diverges from its path, even if at times it may be too much for the viewer to handle. Excision is without a doubt not for the squeamish or sexually shy. Flipping between violently vivid, sexual dream sequences and the hauntingly fearless reality of the twisted mind we’ve been invited to study. Excision captures its warped entity unflinchingly. Featuring an unrecognizable AnnaLynne McCord in the lead role, who is supported by Ariel Winter and Traci Lords. Excision, directed by Richard Bates Jr, is a darkly comic and visually sadistic horror that is sure to leave you feeling dismembered.

Excision2012BDRiP1_zps9ba407e5

Pauline (McCord) is 18 years of age and lives with her family. Her younger sister Grace (Winter) suffers from Cystic Fibrosis. Pauline has extensive delusions and considers herself to be a great surgeon. When she sleeps, Pauline has vivid dreams that she obtains sexual stimulation from. These dreams are violently and horrifically sexual. Pauline’s classmates find her annoying and weird. She tends to act out at home and school and suffers the consequences of her misbehaviour. All along, Pauline is concocting a plan that will leave many baffled and some clinging to life.

cinenema-2012-10-15-10h03m24s12

Of course, this goes without saying, Excision’s unsympathetic butchery and bloodshed is unyielding. However, the effectiveness of Excision’s horror stems from the insanity in McCord’s portrayal of Pauline, not the carnage. She is absolutely nerve shredding. Her upfront personality is distracting and uncomfortable, she cannot distinguish appropriateness, and her social misconceptions are possibly sociopathic as they border intentional. However, as these attributes could easily be distinguished as symptoms of someone struggling with anxiety for example. It is Pauline’s ravenous fascination with disembowelment and hematolagnia (sexual arousal by blood) that define the beast. All of her unusual characteristics and emotionless insanity will leave you unsettled, dirty, as if there is sludge pumping through your veins.

excision-cover

McCord’s facial expressions and emotions look and feel fabricated. I suppose that is the most terrifying thing about the mentally unstable, they appear remorseless. As if every detail in their existence is forced and forged. McCord’s captures these facets menacingly. The sense of helplessness and inevitability that drives her forward dwells in her eyes. One of the best performances I’ve seen in a horror film. Bates does a superlative job behind the camera. Tricky overhead shots that, for most, don’t pan out the way they are envisioned, Bates doesn’t falter. Lords is extremely fierce and formidable in the role of Pauline’s mother. As she argues with her own personal demons, Lords desperately tries to control Pauline and keep her other daughter alive. Lords tried valiantly to match the performance of McCord, but falls inches short.

85989544540702713471

Excision, despite its rather abrupt ending, is upsetting, outstanding, and monstrous. Its consistent performances, gallons of gore, and heart wrenching core make Excision a must see for horror fans.

Excision: 8 out of 10.

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 231 other followers