Excess Flesh is a 2015 horror thriller that revolves around two young women whose inseparable bond gets tested to the limit when one of them starts to spiral out of control. Directed by Patrick Kennelly, the film delves into the darker aspects of obsession, self-loathing, and the need for control, all wrapped up in a visually striking and unnerving package.
The story follows Jill, a reclusive and overweight young woman who lives with her roommate and best friend, Jennifer. While Jennifer is confident, outgoing, and has a seemingly perfect life, Jill struggles with her weight and self-esteem issues. She often binges on junk food and feels inadequate compared to her friend, whom she secretly admires and envies.
Things take a sinister turn when Jennifer invites her new boyfriend, a fitness guru named Harris, to move in with them. Harris is a controlling and obsessive person, exerting his influence on Jennifer and gradually excluding Jill from their circle. As Jill becomes more isolated and ignored, her internal struggles are brought to the surface, and her mental state starts to deteriorate.
The film expertly portrays Jill's descent into madness by using grotesque and surreal imagery that is both disturbing and captivating. The use of vibrant colors and distorted camera angles adds to the unsettling atmosphere and makes the viewer feel like they are witnessing a nightmare come to life. The performances by Effie Lavore and Mary Loveless as Jill and Jennifer, respectively, are compelling and nuanced, bringing depth and complexity to their characters' twisted relationship.
Wes McGee's portrayal of Harris is also noteworthy, as he manages to make the character both charismatic and terrifying at the same time. Harris's behavior becomes increasingly erratic and disturbing as the story progresses, adding more tension and dread to an already unnerving situation.
Excess Flesh is not a typical horror movie that relies on jump scares and gore to scare its audience. It is a psychological thriller that explores the darker sides of human nature and the consequences of toxic relationships. The film's themes of body image, mental health, and control are all presented in a thought-provoking and unsettling way, inviting the viewer to question their own perceptions and biases.
Overall, Excess Flesh is a visually stunning and emotionally impactful film that stands out from the standard horror fare. It is not for the faint of heart, as it contains scenes of graphic violence and disturbing content, but for those who are looking for something different and challenging, it is a must-see.
Excess Flesh is a 2016 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 43 minutes.
It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 3.7.
