Excision

Well that certainly got my attention.  Excision is a very unusual film, billed as a "dark comedy", though I would classify it more as a horror film.  It has very funny moments, of course, but that's something that should be integrated into most good horror.  Because make no mistake, this gets horrific real quick.

Our main character is Pauline, and yes, this is how we're introduced to her.  She's an angry, hormonal teenager.  As her hormones kick into gear she learns what she's attracted to.  Death.  It's billed as "necrophilia" but that doesn't quite seem to cover it.  Throughout the film the viewer is let inside of Pauline's mind to view her beautiful, provocative and wholly fucked up fantasies.  Let this be a warning right now, these are filmed to, as much as possible, bring the viewer into Pauline's fantasy.

In real life, of course, she's not so pristine.  She's a teenager.  She's covered in acne and cold sores and doesn't get along with her domineering mother.  Her father seems like he wants to be helpful but ultimately doesn't get involved the way he should.  She's a classic angsty teen.  But her taste for blood isn't caused by sickness or vampirism.  She's just into it.

Her mother blatantly favors her ill younger sister, but in a breath of fresh air this doesn't drive them apart.  Different as they are, the sisters really love each other, and Pauline does not blame her sister for being the favorite.  In fact, Pauline is quite self-assured.  She's awkward as hell and borderline sociopathic, but she's no meek little schoolgirl who is torn up by her bullies.  This is not that kind of movie.

Pauline is obsessed but not possessed.  She's obviously crying out for help but not one will help her.  She begs to see a psychiatrist and is denied over and over again, instead sent to the family minister.  If there's a moral to this story, it's that if your teenager ASKS to go see a shrink you should take them to a shrink.  Pauline acts out more and more, waking up from ever-more disturbing fetish fever dreams, as she slowly sinks into a delusive fantasy.

Of course, she also prays to a god that she doesn't believe in.  These are some of the best scenes in the film, watching her talk to the sky and try to defend her actions.  This movie has some potent things to say about religion, science, and the power of belief.  It does yet again fail to address characters of colo

So, if you can stomach it, I'd recommend this film.  It's intelligent and disturbing.  The fantasy sequences give you a disgusted feeling that lingers.  It features a sexually assured female protagonist.  And it comes to an absolutely horrifying conclusion.  Trigger warnings for child abuse & self harm.