Patchwork

This movie is surprisingly decent. I was honestly expecting the worst (I really enjoy watching bad movies) but it wasn't as bad as I initially anticipated. The first act is not super promising, basically coming off as any other slasher/body horror film, but the tone almost immediately shifts with the reveal of the three being stitched together. The story is told in a sort of anthology or flashback type of way, going back to explain the lives of the three girls and how they ended up in the situation. The middle act begins to really pick up as the three girls begin to work together and go on a murder spree to find the person behind it all. Some of the jokes are spot on, and the majority of the performances are awesome considering the type of movie this is supposed to be. I was not expecting the twist, and the final act is awesome and fun. This may not be a top-tier movie by any means, but it is magnificently fun with some awesome gore, quips, and jokes.

A simple trip to a local bar for three women turns into a nightmarish scenario for three young women in the new Frankenstein-esque new film Patchwork.

Jennifer, Ellie and Madeleine couldn't be more different from each other. Jennifer is the straight laced business woman who wears pantsuits. Ellie is the blonde bombshell whose naivety often gets her in trouble. And Madeleine is a quiet freakish kind of girl. But on one night the three find themselves in the same drinking establishment and before morning they will be hacked, sewn and strung together to make a single character out of the best body parts each subject had to offer.

Upon awakening on the operating table the creature that has been Frankensteined attempts to gain control of their individual joints and body parts allowing them movement. The process is harder than can be expected as each personality of each girl controls parts of the new body. But escape it does and alone with the three voices in its head, the creature attempts to put the pieces together as to how, why and most importantly, who is responsible for their horrid creation.

Directed by Tyler MacIntyre based on a script by MacIntyre and Chris Lee Hill, Patchwork is a wonderfully deviant film that is rooted in Frankenstein mythology but tips its hat to cult classics such as Re-Animator and Darkman. Actresses Tory Stolper (Jennifer), Tracey Fairaway (Ellie) and Marie Blasucci (Madeleine) are perfectly cast with spellbinding chemistry resulting in many of the film's laugh out loud moments. Stolper particularly shines and is able to transform into the patchwork creature with B-movie exuberance twitching like Vincent D'Onofrio's Edgar in Men in Black as she learns how to work her new body.

The film is equally dark and humorous. The violence is almost cartoon-like but detailed enough to ensure an R-rating. And the humor is spot on as the three girls struggle to learn about each other and work together in the same consciousness. Think of Patchwork as the horror version of Pixar's Inside Out.

Cut into various chapters which take a non-linear approach to the story the film flips back and forward in time as they introduce the characters while progressing the narrative. It's a perfect device for a film whose main character is a cut and paste creation itself.

And we could not conclude any review without commenting on the stellar make-up effects in the film. The patched female creation looked as good as any make-up effect on an Oscar winning film and should be applauded to its attention to detail.

Patchwork in playing this week and the Toronto After Dark Film Festival and I can't imagine how it will not be a fan favorite at the conclusion of its screening. It was a smart, snarky funny film and should be screened by anyone who appreciates the genre.

For the first 15-20 minutes, I thought this was the stupidest movie I've ever seen. But then it took a turn for the kooky, in a good way. Well acted and surprisingly funny. I expected there to be many negative reviews on this site from people who watched only the beginning but gave up, so I'm glad to see all the love.

That said, I think many viewers will not experience this the way I did, and won't appreciate its particular humor. But give it a try! There are small moments of refinement that show the makers paid attention to detail, from actress' facial expressions to an addition of music at unexpected moments (like a certain scene set in a frat house).

Really surprising gem that I wasn't expecting! It isn't the best comedy-horror out there, but it was still pretty hilarious. It does take a little bit before it gets good, but it does get there so be patient with the beginning!

It does come in parts a little like an anthology, but it all ties together. Basically three women get sewn together using different parts of them to make a "Frankenstein-type" woman. You see segments of the final product and the hunt for the people who did this to them, but you also have segments where you see each individual woman's lives beforehand leading up to. It bounces around a bit, which is a little different. But not anything you can't keep up with.

What's great about it is all three woman are so opposite of each other, so seeing all three as one is pretty hilarious!

Definitely not over the top great, but it was a pleasant surprise with decent acting, bits of horror and lots of funny moments.

Also - Owlcat is the pet everyone needs!

It's dumb and it starts slow...but if you stick with it you'll probably be somewhere between mildly entertained and generally entertained.

Can't see anyone honestly saying this is the greatest thing they've ever seen, but I can honestly say that it's a decent time killer. You'll cringe at the stupidity. You'll roll your eyes at some of the scenes (ahem frat boys). You'll also laugh along the way, especially at the proposterousness and absurdities. And if you make it to the end, you'll probably kinda like it in an odd kind of way.

It's a strange, cheesy, corny kind of movie that never takes itself to seriously and neither should you. Watch it, enjoy it, and just let it be a dumb movie that you may in fact like.