While I've always had a strong affinity for a good horror film, the genre rarely manages to actually leave me shaken these days, but with the case of André Øvredal's The Autopsy of Jane Doe, I'd be lying if I didn't say I was left startled by the film's unique vision of terror. The story is centered around Austin and Tony, father and son coroners, whom receive a mysterious homicide victim in Jane Doe, who has yet to be identified by any of the local authorities. Hoping that the cause of death will give them some indication as to who this woman is, Tony and Austin are tasked to perform a seemingly routine autopsy on "Jane Doe" with the intent of discovering the cause of her death. The Autopsy of Jane Doe is the type of film that is best to go into knowing as little as possible, but lets just say that the concept of the narrative is strong and unique, which only works as well as it does due to two fantastic performances by Emilie Hirsch and Brian Cox, as well as some stellar direction. It's rare these days that a movie like this keeps you completely clueless about where it is going for much of its running time, and one of the main reasons The Autopsy of Jane Doe feels so special is its ability to delivery a story that shows as much respect for mystery as it does pure horror, transplanting the viewer into the head-space of both its lead characters who find themselves dealing with some form of supernatural horror. The direction itself sets the tone early, featuring a healthy dose of atmospheric tension through slow, creeping camera movements and a general atmosphere of uncertainty. The director, André Øvredal, has created a film that feels like a horror movie for horror fans, routinely playing with the viewer's perceptions and preconceived expectations of the genre, with beautiful use of repetitive shot selections that throw off even the most ardent horror viewer, making it hard for the audience to predict when exactly the next moment of terror will commence. The Autopsy of Jane Doe is lean, mean, and taut with suspense, grabbing the viewers attention from start to finish due to its effective storytelling and carefully executed narrative. If I had one real complaint about the film I would argue that the finale does feel a bit rushed, with the characters' putting the pieces together and unlocking the mystery in a relatively quick sequence that feels almost out of place due to the film's mysterious tension throughout its running time. The Autopsy of Jane Doe works so well because of its unique story and reliance on atmospheric tension, letting its two lead actors draw the viewer into the story thanks to their compelling performances. While a lot of the more praised horror film's these days seem to have thematic intentions well outside the wheelhouse of traditional horror cinema, The Autosphy of Jane Doe feels refreshing in its thematic simplicity, a throwback film of sorts which delivers a taut, deliciously diabolical experience that is sure to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up throughout its running time.
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AuthorLove of all things cinema brought me here. Archives
June 2023
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