Review by Dead Derrick

Source: THEATRICAL (Sundance Screening, Night Time Showing -Packed House)

Country Of Origin: USA

(Spoken in English)

USA Release Date: Not Yet Released

MPAA Rating: Not Yet Rated

Running Time: 1 hour 21 minutes

Distributor: Anchor Bay

Directed by: Richard Bates Jr.

Written by: Richard Bates Jr.

Starring: AnnaLynne McCord as Pauline, Traci Lords as Phyllis, Ariel Winter as Grace, Roger Bart as Bob, Jeremy Sumpter as Adam, John Waters as William, Malcolm McDowell as Mr. Cooper, Ray Wise as Principal Campbell

This year’s Sundance Film Festival is almost at a close and EXCISION was my second-to-last movie (I have THE PACT tonight and then the festival is done for me). The screening was really well-timed, because EXCISION is without a doubt the best movie I have seen at Sundance 2012. In all honesty, this is one of the best independent horror films that has graced my eyes since Lucky McKee’s MAY.

EXCISION is about Pauline, a disturbed teenager who dreams about being a surgeon and constantly deals with her dysfunctional family. Her mother is a Bible-thumping and domineering presence in her house, her father doesn’t real show much interest in anything, and her younger sister has a severe lung disease. The entire movie is narrated by Pauline as she says prayers to a God, that she doesn’t believe exists. Her life is a series of nightmares, nasty incidents, and her obviously deranged psychological nature (which she acknowledges a lot). I am trying to be vague, in order to not even hint at how insane the movie gets before the ending.

What I can say is this: EXCISION mixes many different genres. Sure it’s definitely a horror film, but it also contains teenage drama, some really well-done comedy, and surrealism that would make David Lynch and David Cronenberg green with envy. Most of the stills you see (including the poster image) are taken from some of the many bizarre dreams that Pauline has throughout the film. The film as a whole works perfectly! This one is a must for horror fans!

The cast is pretty impressive. Featuring AnnaLynne McCord as our main character who we genuinely do like and feel for, Traci Lords is fantastic as the critical and judgemental mother, Roger Bart shows up as the laid back father, and Ariel Winter is great as Pauline’s caring sister. We also get to see some minor parts played by John Waters, Malcolm McDowell, and Ray Wise. It’s a really interesting cast of characters and each actor/actress puts in a the effort to make them more than just one-note performances.

As far as the script goes, this is actually a feature version of a short film that director/writer Richard Bates Jr. originally created back in 2008. Everything is excellent about this script. The dialogue is witty, the humor and horror mix perfectly. The movie goes from being laugh-out-loud funny in one moment to emotionally wrenching in another to finally downright unbelievably shocking.

EXCISION is both extremely disturbing and hilarious. Some people won’t like this movie for the sheer unique nature of the film. We may have the next Cronenberg or Lynch on our hand with Richard Bates Jr. I say that without the slightest sarcasm or hyperbole. I genuinely think we have a new master of horror on our hands. EXCISION is a masterpiece and one hell of a debut. I have a feeling that this movie will be talked about in horror-circles for years to come. This is definitely the stand-out of Sundance 2012 for me!

Grade: A+: EXCISION very may well be the best independent horror film in years. It is John Hughes meets David Cronenberg. Disturbing, disgusting, hilarious, and shocking! I loved this movie and if you dig horror movies in the slightest, I think you will too. Hopefully this one gets distribution soon, because I am floored and have been thinking about this movie and analysing it for hours on end. Prepare yourselves for this one. A new horror classic!