Excess Flesh

Director - Patrick Kennelly (Ten Minute is Two Hours)
Starring - Bethany Orr (Moonshine Inc.), Mary Loveless (Wrong Cops), and Wes McGee (NCIS)
Release Date - 2015
Genre - Horror/Thriller
Tagline - "If Jill can't be Jennifer she must destroy her"
Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Horror has the power to impact the viewer.  Personally, I find body horror and thrillers to be the most difficult to watch because it can happen especially the thrillers or dark dramas that follow people that eventually snaps.  We see this all the time on the news.  When a horror flick is released that follows a character like this I am always skeptical to check it out.  Will it be grounded and dark or will it take an extreme turn?  That was the question I had for Excess Flesh.  The film looked dark and gritty but I was concerned that it would go the extreme horror route full of torture and mindless gore totally skipping on the story like so many before it.  The film was sent to me by Midnight Releasing to check out and I want to thank them for allowing me the opportunity to check it out.

     The film follows roommates Jill (Orr) and Jennifer (Loveless) who live two completely different lives.  Jennifer is a party girl that lives life to the fullest and can eat anything and never gain an ounce.  Jill on the other hand is very socially awkward and very concerned with her weight.  She obsesses over Jennifer.  She loves her personality, her near perfect body that she disrespects, and the way she can get any man she wants.  Things change when Jennifer gets fed up with the way Jill acts and starts giving her the cold shoulder.  Jennifer then sleeps with the man Jill has been lusting over which sends her over the edge.  She chains Jennifer up after a night of heavy drinking and tortures her in various ways including forcing junk food down her throat.  When things don't work out like they should, Jill kills Jennifer.
     Excess Flesh was not the film I was expecting.  I was expecting a body horror gross out flick full of anorexic chicks barfing up their organic salads.  Instead, I was treated to a pretty entertaining story of jealousy, torture, and just a little bit of vomit!  The acting in this one is fantastic.  The two female leads, Bethany Orr and Mary Loveless, work extremely well together.  They feed off each other resulting in some pretty intense scenes.  I honestly feel that this film would not have the impact that it does if someone else was cast in these roles. The remainder of the cast keeps the scenes a float but these two are the stars, without a doubt.  The story for this one is nothing that special but that doesn't stop it from hitting the viewer in the face a few times.  We have seen several drama over the years that followed a teen or some sort that struggles with their weight and secretly throws up after every meal.  We have also witnessed several films that followed someone unstable who obsesses over someone else to the point it becomes deadly just like the Lucky McKee classic May.  However, combining the two does bring about something rather different that very entertaining and disgusting at the same time.  Finally, those of you looking for a blood bath will, sadly, be let down.  However, if you want a film that is very dark, twisted, and sometimes disgusting then this one is for you.  It does have one kill on screen that is nothing we haven't seen before but the practical effects make it very entertaining.  Overall, Excess Flesh is one vile film.  It is a deep film that plays on the culture of the day and how everyone has to look a certain way to fit in.  The film has some fucked up moments and some great atmosphere.  I recommend this one.