Grafted - New Release Review
Director: Sasha Rainbow
Starring: Joyena Sun, Jess Hong, Jared Turner, Eden Hart, Sepi To'a
Written by: Sasha Rainbow, Lee Murray, Mia Mararmara, Hweiling Ow
Produced by: Murray Francis, Leela Menon
Cinematography by: Tammy Williams
Original Score by: Lachlan Anderson
Synopsis:
A bright but socially awkward exchange student takes her craving for popularity to horrifying heights.
Thoughts:
A very promising premise that sadly isn't executed as well as it could've been but 'Grafted' remains an enjoyable watch with some gooey body horror and biting dark humour.
Determined to continue the groundbreaking work of her recently deceased scientist Father, Wei moves from her home in China to live with her Aunt and cousin in New Zealand and enrolls as a medical student in a prestigous University. Clearly ambitous and astute, Wei keeps her head down and focusses on realising her Father's dream of perfecting skin grafting as a means to forever changing the lives of people suffering with physical deformities. But Wei also longs for something else; acceptance.
Wei has a mark on her neck that she feels embarrassed by and she believes that she is ugly. It doesn't help her confidence any when her older cousin Angela, more attractive, more confident, more free spirited and assure of herself, shuns her and along with her best friend Eve essentially begins to bully her.
Her life becomes even more complicated and tragic when her professor Paul, tasked with tutoring and being a positive role model to his students, uses Wei to gain knowledge of her life changing work so he can steal it and claim it as his own. This displeases Wei and one thing leads to another and...well it doesn't end well for her enemies.
There's lots to enjoy about Sasha Rainbow's debut feature film. It's widely ambitious and despite being blatantly inspired by other horror films like 'American Psycho', 'Audition' and 'Eyes Without a Face', it remains quite unique and grounded. It's kind of like 'Face/Off' with a sprinkle of 'Mean Girls' thrown in too. There's A LOT of pink in this movie and as Wei begins to loose her shit, there's also A LOT of red...
The film is a little hindered by it's budget presumably and there did seem like some strange editing at times. Perhaps some scenes where cut but overall it is a well made film with some beautiful shots full of vibrant colours and the cast are fun to watch. It's a strong premise but it fizzles out a bit towards the third Act and certain things that happen don't really make sense. You sort of just have to accept the silliness of it all.
That being said there's some gruesome scenes and one kill in particular that made my face contort with glee. I knew it was coming but I still snorted as it was happening. Definitely worth the watch just for Wei's handy work.
Verdict: ⭐️⭐️½
-Gavin Logan
'Grafted' is available to stream exclusively on Shudder from January 24th