Suitable Flesh (2023) [Movie Review]
RLJE Films / Shudder
Joe Lynch’s latest film Suitable Flesh wears its inspirations on its sleeve. The film is a love letter to Stuart Gordon, director of Lovecraftian horrors such as Re-Animator and From Beyond. The connection becomes even more clear when I learned that screenwriter Dennis Paoli, who wrote this film’s screenplay, also wrote several movies for Gordon, including the two mentioned here. However, measuring up to Gordon is a lofty goal.
Suitable Flesh loosely adapts The Thing on the Doorstep, an H.P. Lovecraft story published in 1937. In the movie, a psychiatrist (Heather Graham) becomes obsessed with a young patient (Judah Lewis) who claims his father is trying to take control of his body. When she discovers this isn’t simply a personality disorder but something old and sinister, her idyllic life spirals out of control into a tailspin of sex, violence, and death. Rounding out the cast are Bruce Davidson, Johnathon Schaech, and horror icon Barbara Crampton (a Gordon regular).
The actors who must portray multiple personalities do a great job here and are a highlight. Heather Graham plays three by the end of the film. The seizures that accompany the change are a very effective device which elevates the horror of the situation. There are some very inventive gags in the violence, particularly one near the end of the film that I won’t spoil here. If you watch, I guarantee you’ll know which one I’m referencing. It’s my favorite bit in the film.
Also, the poster is awesome:
RLJE Films / Shudder
The movie has its issues. Mainly, it constantly changes tone between melodrama, erotic thriller, and horror, and it’s a bit whiplash inducing. In that regard, the score does way too much heavy lifting. It’s almost totally pervasive, and changes between these tones on the drop of a dime. The score seems to be designed to make up for energy often missing from the picture. I could have also done without a couple iris wipe transitions that are used early in the film for no real reason.
The sets sometimes feel like something out of a Hallmark movie, which detracts from the film, along with some really bad greenscreen. On the other hand, there’s some really great over-the-top physical effects work and I commend the movie for what it does in-camera.
While Suitable Flesh has its high points, overall its problems outweigh those positives. You’ll have a fun time for the most part, but this isn’t a must-watch. Be warned if you’re sensitive to sex or gore.
Suitable Flesh is in theaters now and available on VOD. It will stream on Shudder in January, 2024. Watch the red band trailer here:
Suitable Flesh Red Band Trailer
