Errors of the Human Body

I honestly cannot understand why this movie is currently rating so low at IMDb. In my opinion it is one of the most intriguing and original thrillers I have seen in many years.

In some ways it is quite unique in that while at first it seems like a Cronenbergian body horror film, it turns out to be a "horror of the emotions" in which good intentions certainly do lead the well-meaning characters to their own especially cruel versions of hell.

Michael Eklund and Karoline Herfurth were absolutely terrific, diving into their roles with 100% commitment. And Rik Mayall was a revelation in the first serious role I've seen him play.

To me this is an amazing feature debut for writer/director Eron Sheean, most definitely a talent to be watched.

I hope people can overlook the low rating and give this film a chance because I feel it certainly deserves the attention of discerning cinephiles.

This film feels a bit mismarketed, it obviously doesn't have horror as a genre, but you can't exactly blame anybody who thought that was what they were getting into with its presentation on Hulu.

In actuality, this is a dramatic suspense film with a doctor, played by Michael Ekuland, attempting to find the cure for the disease that killed his son. Now at a research center in Germany, he finds himself butting heads with a rival researcher who seems to be performing experiments behind the backs of his fellow colleagues.

It is a good film, though its ending feels a little lackluster in comparison to an explosive confrontation preceeding it. Some reviewers may find to boring, but i believe this is again due to their expectations this will be similar to something like Cronenberg's The Fly, it's not.

For what it's worth, it's an enjoyable thriller that you can easily switch on without fear of feeling really creeped out by the end.

It's a Science Fiction movie, that has some nice moments in it. The lead actor is good (and you might remember him from a special Fringe episode or other stuff he has done), but since this is sponsored by German money, there had to be at least one lead German actress in it too. her accent gives her away. But we also get another European actor (one you might have seen in "Painless" recently).

If you don't mind being overpopulated by Europeans (that goes out to American readers obviously), you might find yourself enjoying this a bit. It might redeem itself towards the end, but that only can happen, if you are willing to sit through some clichés. There is some brief nudity, just in case you were wondering, but there aren't many action scenes. It does try to build solely on its tense moments through storytelling

What a surprise. Very impressive and very Cronenbergian.

This movie is excellent in almost every aspect, except for the plot that isn't very strong (but has a good ending).

Excellent cast (all unknown to me, except for an old Rik Mayall in a dramatic role), cinematography, score, direction, practical effects and makeup. Great filming locations and atmosphere. Very impressive acting by the lead actors (Mayall is also great).

It's too bad that the plot is not strong enough, otherwise I would have given it a higher score. Still, I give it credit for all the elements above, the originality and risks they took and the high quality result.

It was after watching The Call (2013) that I decided to browse through Michael Eklund's filmography hoping to find other portrayals of deranged characters. Errors of the Human Body is a title that immediately hooked me and I wanted to know more. The poster looked marvelous and it seemed to have won some awards and nominations so I decided to see it. Doctor Geoff Burton was once renowned and a beacon of hope to the medical field, but a rare genetic condition that led to his son's death ruined him.On the verge of being fired he accepts a job offer in Germany. The transfer was supported by a young female doctor who was once Burton's intern and with whom he had a liaison. Once he arrives, he discovers what Rebekka is working on: a way to have cells regenerated extremely fast. However, the processes which work in amphibians seems bound to failure when tested in mammal embryos. This is until Jarek, Rebekka's previous partner on the project, tries it illegally on a mouse. Geoff, who was following the scene, steals the mouse in either desperate scientific interest or a desire to protect Rebekka's project. From there on, Geoff's mental health begins to deteriorate as he enters a conflict with Jarek and is plagued by his past. I was quite pleased with what strikes first in the movie: the constant ambient low tune of disturbing music and the quality of the medical environment which was not portrayed in the typical scientific way, but was filmed in a way that made it beautiful. The story is quite simple overall but the flashback of the past along with the deterioration of everything around Geoff makes the movie really smooth. Geoff Burton's character reminded me in many ways of the protagonist in The Machinist (2004). Eklund really shines in this deranged guilt-ridden persona, although he might now be typecast as the new crazy actor (that'll give Michael Shannon a break). The scene at the party with loud electronic music, bright neon colors and costumes is really a pleasure to see. In the background, a great deal of moral issues are dealt with, but the first plane is always about Geoff. The film depicts a bare, rough and industrial vision of Germany which seemed to be in perfect harmony with the isolation of the main character. I couldn't help but wish there was more that was done with the tools we were shown. In the end it felt like a really lonely and caustic movie. At least it managed what Splice (2009) didn't; to make research in medicine look good. I wish there was more and maybe this is where the movie feels a little short in its unfolding. I think I felt really similar after watching Antiviral (2012) where I loved the world I was thrown in and it was visually astounding, but the story left me wanting for more. I liked: Constant background noises and music. Geoff and Eklund's acting. Exploration and depiction of guilt. I disliked: There was more to do, more to say. Some scenes seemed unrealistic--for example, a chase scene with a mouse is far stretched-- the protagonist was after all a top notch scientist. 72/100 I'm really going to look forward to future movies by Eron Sheean. I like his directorial work. I would recommend this to those who enjoyed Antiviral (2012) and also maybe Upstream Color (2013).