I think there has been one or maybe two other films in nearly a thousand that I just can't simply put a score to. The Human Centipede is one of those films. I can't just slap a 10/10...7/10...1/10 on it because I simply don't know. It isn't a film...not in the sense of entertainment. I would almost describe it as a snuff film because its that graphic and horrifying in its idea and feels almost real. Its sick and twisted and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone as a form of simple entertainment. It would be horrible to spend money to see this. And yet a film connoisseur, a horror buff, I suppose it needs to be seen and it tells a story that is unlike anything ever shown on screen I am certain. There is a twisted, awful and yet awfully amazing performance by the Doctor and you think it has the typical college girls on a lonely road, breaks down, crazy family and/or person finds them but the obvious twist to this story is the sick idea of the human centipede, that is where it all comes together so to speak. I've had friends and seen other reviewers call the film boring and that is perhaps it isn't exactly your typical horror film but I know I stayed horrified beginning to end and it leaves you feeling dirty that you even watched it.
Prior to being sewn into place, actresses Ashley C. Williams, and Ashlynn Yennie play best friends driving across Germany. Their acting before meeting the doctor is nothing short of atrocious. Their lines are delivered like a middle schooler that can't read. Once you get into the meat and potatoes and they are turned to scream queens then their performance is slightly better. They manage to pull of scared and tortured better than tourists. Once their mouths are full of butt well then the hard part of acting is over really. Akihiro Kitamura is probably the best actor of the film. He does a great job beginning to end as the man who is tortured and eventually gives up. His screams and pleas for help and safety will get right through your skin. The highlight of the film for me is the absolutely awful and yet deliciously so Dr. Heiter played by Dieter Laser. He is right up there in my books as the silliest but perhaps brilliant serial killer. His twisted, demented, and absurd performance is memorable to say the least.
The Human Centipede gains its following from its reputation of being twisted and I can promise you exactly that. You can't enjoy the film because it isn't entertaining and yet its the true definition of a water cooler film because everyone who has seen it will talk about it. It is incredibly grotesque, and disturbing and a lot of the implied gore is thinking about how being in that position would feel. Throughout all of its incredibly morbid moments you will feel ashamed at laughing at some of the more ridiculous moments like Dr. Heiter trying to train his human centipede like a dog. One reviewer described that as stupid but it is ridiculously funny amidst the terrifying moments in the film. Writer and director Tom Six made this film with one goal in mind and that is to shock and that is what it accomplishes. I would never recommend anyone seeing this but if you have a morbid curiosity and a love for horror films than you will see it. However, for me I can't say whether I liked it, hated it, or what my feelings are. I'm torn between feeling really awful about watching it and how unique the concept was. I simply can't put a grade to this. I will however make myself see the sequel...I just don't know what to think. ?/10
Prior to being sewn into place, actresses Ashley C. Williams, and Ashlynn Yennie play best friends driving across Germany. Their acting before meeting the doctor is nothing short of atrocious. Their lines are delivered like a middle schooler that can't read. Once you get into the meat and potatoes and they are turned to scream queens then their performance is slightly better. They manage to pull of scared and tortured better than tourists. Once their mouths are full of butt well then the hard part of acting is over really. Akihiro Kitamura is probably the best actor of the film. He does a great job beginning to end as the man who is tortured and eventually gives up. His screams and pleas for help and safety will get right through your skin. The highlight of the film for me is the absolutely awful and yet deliciously so Dr. Heiter played by Dieter Laser. He is right up there in my books as the silliest but perhaps brilliant serial killer. His twisted, demented, and absurd performance is memorable to say the least.
The Human Centipede gains its following from its reputation of being twisted and I can promise you exactly that. You can't enjoy the film because it isn't entertaining and yet its the true definition of a water cooler film because everyone who has seen it will talk about it. It is incredibly grotesque, and disturbing and a lot of the implied gore is thinking about how being in that position would feel. Throughout all of its incredibly morbid moments you will feel ashamed at laughing at some of the more ridiculous moments like Dr. Heiter trying to train his human centipede like a dog. One reviewer described that as stupid but it is ridiculously funny amidst the terrifying moments in the film. Writer and director Tom Six made this film with one goal in mind and that is to shock and that is what it accomplishes. I would never recommend anyone seeing this but if you have a morbid curiosity and a love for horror films than you will see it. However, for me I can't say whether I liked it, hated it, or what my feelings are. I'm torn between feeling really awful about watching it and how unique the concept was. I simply can't put a grade to this. I will however make myself see the sequel...I just don't know what to think. ?/10