Thanatomorphose

Many comments on this film out there have been derogative, blaming its slow tempo and overall lack of action. I guess these critics just missed the point entirely. Thanatomorphose is NOT a movie about zombies. Viewers should not expect to see Romero-style walking dead running, or shambling after their prey. The slow tempo is, IMO, completely intentional, in phase with the actual body decomposition process... Interestingly, the process starts concurrently with the discovery, by the female sculptor, or her sudden lack of interest in her art. Also, and that's the main flaw of the movie for me, the connexion between the decomposition process and the growing lust is obvious, but difficult to grasp for the viewer. I guess the whole movie is probably a metaphor for aging: the body corruption is inevitable, while both feeling of love and lust -which are recurrent in Thanatomorphose- might grow stronger in some cases. Beyond these comments, a warning to all would-be viewers: it's a tough one to watch. Put it this way: if you watch it with your friends next Friday, and none of them makes fun of you after it, then they are REAL friends...

Thanatomorphose in French means the visible signs of an organism's decomposition caused by death.The main character of Canadian art-house gore flick "Thanatomorphose" starts to literally decompose after having sex with her vulgar and abusive boyfriend.The film takes place in the claustrophobic apartment of a young woman in the vein of Roman Polanski's "Repulsion".There is plenty of graphic gore,bile and filth on display-especially in the second half of the movie.Adittedly the make-up and special effects are excellent and truly stomach-churning.Still there is almost no plot and there are some dull spots during the first half of "Thanatomorphose".The film can be seen as the metaphor of empty and useless existence of the main character,though.7 decomposing bodies out of 10.I am fairly sure that "Nekromantik","Aftermath" and "Guinea Pig V:Mermaid and the Manhole" were huge influence here.

I watched this movie a few months ago, when I was going through a phase of trying to find low-budget "gems", as there is plenty of unheralded talent out there. As stated in the plot summary, it is a movie about a woman who slowly rots away. That's it. There is no more to the premise. The audience is not informed as to why, there is no climax, and to conclusion. The movie throws out the fundamentals of story-telling, yet still seems to tell to tell a story. I suppose I could try to explain it as a phenomenological attempt at movie-making, but I think I would be deluding myself. there simply is no story. Low budget movies really have to have something special to make up for the lack of funds. in the absence of resources, you must have a great script, great acting, great cinematography, or a combination thereof.

Thanatomorphose has none of these. None.

I hate to be so harsh, as I am sure quite a few people made a great effort to produce this film. Sadly, their efforts were (IMO) misguided.

Considering the level of quality from recent modern Canadian horror films, i came into Thanatomorphose with huge expectations. Unfortunately those expectations were never met.

The gore effects and atmosphere are filled with dread. This really does feel like a horror film and I actually thought the low budget the film had played to its advantage. Its the type of film that will not only test your stomach, but will make you feel like a shower afterwards. Its almost as though the filth that is depicted on screen is reaching through and soaking you, the viewer, in it.

The gore effects are surprisingly very good which will make gore hounds want to go and see it but, the problem is, is that its over one hundred minutes in length and because the story is non existent and you don't care about the plight the main character is in, it becomes a genuinely tedious experience.

Its definitely a case of a movie that should have been made into a short film.

Very disappointed, but doesn't come without positives. Unfortunately those positives don't outshine the many negatives.

The marketing would have you believe that 'Thanatomorphose' somehow resembled a David Cronenberg movie, based on how it's a 'horror' film about the human body (and the disgusting ways it can be mutilated). However, that is where the similarity ends. Cronenberg's films also had a story and engaging characters. This has neither.

The two main characters spend so much time wandering round their apartment naked, you may be forgiven for thinking they're nudists. In fact... it gets a bit annoying in the end as there's clearly no reason for it all the time (like cleaning the flat in the nude etc). The story is about a woman whose body starts to slowly decay. Here's where the good make-up comes in, as it is pretty disgusting (about the film's only plus point). You may feel some sympathy for her if she was a bit more sensible. I imagine that if such a horrifying affliction descended on any one of us, the first thing we'd do is seek medical attention. She doesn't. Even when a friend comes calling and sees she's clearly unwell, she refuses to go to the hospital with him. Therefore we start to lose sympathy for her plight if she's clearly that stupid. Her boyfriend is not so daft - merely horrible. He's violent and a user - hardly hero material.

If you're looking for various gross scenes, you'll find them here. However, if you want talking, decent characters and a story, move along...

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