Review: Fetus (2008)

Directed by: Brian Paulin
Starring: Brian Paulin, Nette Detroy, Joe Olsen
Written by: Brian Paulin
Music by: Matt Meserve, Brian Paulin
Country: United States
Available on: DVD (Massacre Video, Morbid Vision Films)
IMDb

The opening credits overly simplify Brian Paulin’s twisted descent into nightmarish delirium as a “gore film.” I mean, fuck yes, this is a gory, nasty little thing. But Fetus is not 74 minutes of mindless intestine-spilling, skin-flaying brutality. The minimalist story centers on Kevin, a widower after his wife dies during a botched C-section. Saturated by despondency, Kevin decides to pursue bloody revenge against his wife’s doctors and attempt to resurrect his dead spouse — both goals that lead him into some gnarly black magic rituals.

Though flicks of this caliber and budget (i.e., no budget) tend to be kneecapped by a lack of experienced actors, Paulin works around the issue by adding “star” to his duties, alongside director, writer, special effects artist, cinematographer, editor, etc. There are a few other characters here and there, but no one else is really saying much, minimizing the opportunity for botched or wooden line delivery. Though Paulin isn’t going to win any Oscars, he’s reasonably solid and manages to deliver what he needs to — a task that’s more difficult than you might figure for something like this. All of the warped destruction of flesh is anchored by Paulin’s sincere, pensive tone, and Kevin’s grief is purveyed with earnestness. This all serves to make the deranged savagery of the film’s second half twice as heinous.

This “gore film” definitely delivers its promises. The human body is ruined in multitudes here, in ways most imaginations could never conjure. Most of the special effects are quite convincing, and, in prudish hands, this might be mistaken for snuff. But beyond your standard rip-and-tear splatter, Paulin slathers the mayhem with an otherworldly patina that ties your gut in knots and assaults your senses in a way that’s impossible to prepare for. The finale is a cataclysm of mushy, weird, fluid-lathered cosmic insanity that’s completely surprising, gross, and somehow heartbreaking. The frenzied, vile delirium of the climax is indelible because Paulin devoted time and space to fertilizing Kevin’s despair. Fetus’ atmospheric amalgamation of melancholy, massacre, and madness results in a film you may never be able to watch twice, but won’t forget.

Paulin’s films might be aptly characterized as “ardently amateur.” The finishing isn’t quite there — think of a house with a well-built frame that hasn’t been sanded, a great paint scheme that needs another coat, a beautiful deck that needs sealing, whatever. Everything this flick does well, from its special effects to its engaging story and pacing, to its grim and brooding music and haunting tone, is wrought roughly yet adeptly. Brian Paulin knows how to use his meager resources to pull together something fascinating, driven by his enthusiasm, boundless morbid creativity, and just enough know-how to stitch it all together in a way that can never be purged.

Overall rating: 8.5 out of 10