• Aug 21
• GROTESQUE: Review
• Posted by Deljhp - 21/08/09 at 11:17 AM

Director: Koji Shiraishi. Review: Adam P.

Grotesque. A very fitting title to one of the most disturbing and horrific Japanese movies I have ever seen. Like 'Guinea Pig: The Flower of Flesh and Blood,' Grotesque is an hour and 15 minutes of nearly non-stop torture and gore. This movie has no redeeming qualities, and should not be viewed by the squeamish or the faint of heart. The plot to Grotesque is as simple as they come. A young man and woman go out for a first date and are kidnapped by a sadistic killer. The rest of the movie is comprised of the killer torturing and humiliating them in the worst ways imaginable. The main thing that makes this film worse to watch than The Flower of Flesh and Blood, is that the production quality of the movie is much better and therefore, all the horrific torture looks very real.

Kôji Shiraishi, who previously horrified us with 'A Slit-Mouthed Woman,' wrote and directed. Although the writing and directing were acceptable, the fact remains that there is no point to this movie other than to push the envelope to its limits. In comparison to other torture porn movies, Grotesque is far more extreme than any 'Saw' or 'Hostel,' but it lacks in the characterization and storyline that those excelled in. The makers of this film were trying to shock and horrify us, and they succeeded, although not in the way they intended. I'm horrified that this movie was given financial backing and distribution. Worst of all, the fact that this movie was just banned in the UK will push sales for it even more. If you’re into pointless brutalization, rape, torture, disembowelment, and murder, this movie might be for you. If you prefer a little more substance however, go and buy Martyrs instead. That one will not disappoint.

Grotesque trailer (nsfw)