Psychiatrist Elizabeth Derby becomes obsessed with helping a young patient who is suffering from extreme personality disorder. However, it soon leads her into occult danger as she tries to escape from a horrific fate.
American horror movie Suitable Flesh, helmed by Joe Lynch and written by Dennis Paoli, was released in 2023. Starring Heather Graham, Judah Lewis, Bruce Davison, Jonathan Schaech, and Barbara Crampton, it is based on the 1937 H. P. Lovecraft short tale “The Thing on the Doorstep.” The film premiered at the Tribeca Festival on June 11th and had a limited theatre and VOD release on October 27th. It is due to be released on Shudder on January 26th, 2024.
For those not familiar with Lovecraft’s tale (Shame on you!), Suitable Flesh follows the tale of Doctor Daniella Upton and her run-in with an entity that is able to Freaky Friday its victims and run amok with their bodies.
So, I feel that we need to address the elephant in the room before moving on with the review proper. This is going to be another one of those titles that is going to divide audiences due to the artistic decisions made by Lynch. You’re either to love or hate this title depending on several factors, probably including your age.
The film is stylised to have an 80’s aesthetic, with the whole feel very similar to what you’d get on your Sunday night, prime time TV slot. It even feels like those old “Made for TV” films and in that regard, it is incredibly nostalgic. The actors also do a great job of matching that old-school TV style. While it may seem overacted at times, the cast’s ability to switch between being themselves and being “possessed” really showcases their true ability.
I enjoyed the story, the pacing, the Lovecraftian references strewn about, and especially the film’s chaotic final act. The numerous sex scenes thrown in did not bother me as that was also pretty commonplace for late-night TV in the old yesteryear. I felt that it was a solid ride and true to the nature of the source material.
On the other hand, I completely understand how a general audience would find the film dated and unappealing. It’s a very strange beast, made for a select few fans of a very specific kind of film. There are no modern ideologies, no social justice interests, nothing of the sort; just old-fashioned trashy TV horror. It is something that one would need to be in the mood for.
Thankfully for me, I was definitely in the mood. Thanks for reading and as always, stay sordid. The artwork and the trailer are posted below. Suitable Flesh will be released on Shudder on January 26th.
