The Human Centipede (First Sequence) - Movie Review

The Human Centipede (First Sequence) is based on the sick idea of a lunatic surgeon who sews human beings together with their mouths connected to the next person’s anus creating what is known as a ‘human centipede’. In its essence, the film looks at elements of objectification as well as control from the side of a madman, set with a tone that elicits revulsion and fear. First of all, the brilliant plot provokes ethical issues of human experiments, combining fear of the unfamiliar with passion for horror. His acting is intense and creepy, he dominates the movie with his sinister and planned madness. The targets Ashley Williams, Ashlynn Yennie and Akihiro Kitamura give quite a convincing performance to look like desperate victims which brings a certain pathos to the ordeal depicted.

Tom Six manages to create his vision, offering the audience an unforgettable experience full of shock and distress as the viewer is exposed to some of the most uncomfortable scenes in the film. His direction augments the grotesqueness of the film’s concept, which perpetuates throughout the various scenes a tension and anticipation of violence. The composer manages to get real acting that contributes to the overall grim atmosphere of the movie.

To a large extent, J. H. M. Berger’s unassuming score adds to the film’s intensity. Music by Patrick Savage and Holeg Spies perfectly accompanies the horror though it is never overwhelming and mostly contributing to the plotlines of certain scenes. The grays and dark browns provide a cold reception to the environment of the film and the cabinets and محدود τραπέζι tighten the audience’s view into Dr. Heiter’s world which escalates the horror impact of the film. Each move into the framed set design has a purpose to destabilize, making the more sordid progressions of the movie’s narrative all the more effective.

As with any horror movie, special effects are useful in portraying the Seeber’s vivid idea effectively on the big screen. That is one of horror in idea rather than gore but those that are depicted are quite effective in evoking the necessary physical reaction from the audience.

On the note of editing, it can be noted that it does not allow for the build-up of tension even for a moment. The scenes are well-edited and precise in making the narrative tight and fast-paced, keeping the viewers alert at all times.

All in all the film is intense as it opens with a rather violent murder, yet it is not barbarously shot; it is sensitive with perfectly timed swift flow. It slowly and steadily creates suspense which is gradually closeted bit by bit leaving the viewers tense waiting for the actual horror to occur. It is used to show that Dr. Heiter is a mad man and the loneliness of the victims. Such simplicities amplify the words uttered and spoken in the film to the extreme, so extreme that it only adds to the controversy of The Human Centipede. Its material is highly questionable and can be shocking, therefore some audiences argue that the show is vulgar in its lack of depth. That being said, it is undoubtedly effective in its premise by executing a bold concept.

Thus, The Human Centipede (First Sequence) is quite similar to a movie that is best seen in one’s nightmares, even though viewers know they should not watch; however, they cannot look away. In the end the audience is struck again and again by an impressing and somehow scary film, which stays the only unforgettable after having been seen.