The Autopsy of Jane Doe, directed by the ingenious André Øvredal, is a spine-chilling ride through the world of horror, mystery, and thriller. It's a movie that manages to creep up on you, leaving a lasting impression long after the credits roll. This movie review delves into the heart of the film, analyzing what makes it tick—both the good and the not-so-good!
The plot kicks off with a peculiar premise: a mysterious and beautiful corpse winds up at the morgue of a father-son duo, played by Emile Hirsch and the legendary Brian Cox. Yeah, not your average 'day at work' scenario! As the autopsy unravels, so does a web of terrifying secrets—secrets that are guaranteed to send goosebumps racing up your spine. The film's eerie silence and claustrophobic setting are hauntingly effective, grounding its horror in the everyday mundanity of a clinical autopsy. And let's be real, it’s not every day you see a movie where the protagonist is a corpse with so much charisma!
In terms of acting, Cox and Hirsch deliver stellar performances, giving life—ironic, right?—to the film's grim atmosphere. Cox, with his seasoned gravitas, stands like a rock, anchoring the tension, while Hirsch embodies the skepticism and curiosity of youth with finesse. The cinematography is another ace, as Øvredal uses moody lighting and tight, almost suffocating close-ups to maintain an aura of dread. Yet, while the screenplay is tight, the dialogue somewhat stumbles in capturing the full potential of its deeply intriguing premise. At times, I wished for a bit more verbal sparring—maybe you will, too!
Fans of the best horror movies will see shades of classics like 'The Conjuring’ and ‘Hereditary’ when watching The Autopsy of Jane Doe. But unlike its peers, this film injects its horror with a morbid hint of forensic procedural drama, reminiscent of ‘CSI’ meeting ‘Poltergeist’. Yet, the film sometimes trips over its own cleverness, lacking the emotional wallop or psychological depth of the aforementioned giants. But let's face it, sometimes a well-crafted thrill is all we need on a rainy Friday night, right?
If you’re still sitting on the fence about whether The Autopsy of Jane Doe should be your next flick, I say take the plunge. With its taut suspense and eerie charm, it's undoubtedly a must-watch for genre enthusiasts. Just don't watch it alone...unless you enjoy the pulse-quickening company of supernatural forces. After all, isn’t a little fright what makes life interesting?