It’s a good time to be a fan of body horror thanks to all the buzz surrounding Coralie Fargeat’sThe Substance, whichhas ushered in a new era for the subgenre that seems to be taking hold in the mainstream. After becomingMubi’s most successful film everat the box office and receiving widespread critical acclaim,Varietyreports that yet another genre piece,Grafted, has been acquired byShudder, and will once more explore themes of beauty and social acceptance, while at the same timedelivering a film that would make David Cronenberg proud.
Featuringthe directorial debut of New Zealand’s Sasha Rainbow,Graftedwas penned by Mia Maramara, Hweiling Ow, Lee Murray and Rainbow, and stars Joyena Sun (Blood and Gold), Jess Hong (3 Body Problem), Jared Turner (The Almighty Johnsons), Eden Hart (Sweet Tooth), and Sepi To’a (The Castaways). The movie has been garnering a lot of praise on the festival circuit, which comes as no surprise given the fact that the director’s 2018 short filmKamaliearned her a BAFTA nomination, and was long-listed for an Academy Award. Check out the full synopsis for the new body horror picture below,which has already piqued our interest enough to want to see it, even without the benefit of a trailer.
Grafted follows Chinese scholarship student Wei (Joyena Sun), who travels to New Zealand to pursue medical research at a prestigious university. Shy, introverted and hiding a genetic facial birthmark, Wei is shunned by her social butterfly cousin Angela (Jess Hong) and her glamorous friends. Determined to change her fate, Wei immerses herself in her late father’s research, working on a revolutionary skin grafting procedure that could cure her deformity, but as her experiments take a dark turn, she becomes more dangerous and unhinged, willing to eliminate anyone who threatens her secret.
Body Horror Goes Mainstream
While body horror existedlong before Cronenberg popularized it in the mid-70s and early 80swith films likeShivers,Rabid,The Fly, andVideodrome, there’s no denying that it has always felt like the black sheep of the horror genre, always lying on the outskirts of the mainstream, thus going largely ignored by critics for not conforming to what’s considered “normal.” As such, American directors have largely shied away from the subject due to its niche appeal, leaving it up to foreign filmmakers to explore the limits of the human body, with Michelle Garza Cervera’s 2022 Mexican filmHuesera: The Bone Womanperhaps being the best of the most recent crop of pics that have popped up in the last five years.
That being said,The Substancehasundoubtedly shone a spotlight on body horror here in North America, and once again caused it to enter mainstream consciousness due in part to its A-list cast of Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, and Dennis Quaid, whose appearances elevated a movie that most likely would have gone ignored had it featured a foreign cast from Fargeat’s home country of France. Unfortunately, it’s been Ryan Murphy who seems to be the first creator to recognize its widespread appeal, as he’s addedyet another new series to his platecalledThe Beauty, which is based on the comic book series of the same name and revolves around an STD that makes those affected beautiful.
15 Underrated Body Horror Movies That Are Sure to Gross You Out
Gory and goopy horror movies aren’t for everyone, but if they are your bag, you should check out these underrated gems.
Here’s hoping that creators other than Murphy pick up on the popularity of body horrorto deliver something fresh for American audiences, rather than just toss a bunch of bits and pieces of what came before them into a salad spinner and hope for the best. We’ll have more news onGrafted, including a release date and trailer, as it becomes available, but in the meantime be sure to check outThe Substancein theaters while you still can.
The Substance
Elisabeth Sparkle, renowned for an aerobics show, faces a devastating blow on her 50th birthday as her boss fires her. Amid her distress, a laboratory offers her a substance which promises to transform her into an enhanced version of herself.
