Now here’s a horror that will leave a bad taste in your mouth. Yes, it’s about cannibalism. And as if that were not enough, the meat is taken from live prisoners. This is their story, more or less. And although the violence and gore in the film is at a minimum (considering), I truly caution that this is an adult a film as adult gets. The depictions, nay, the suggestions of what’s going on will make most anybody cringe. In fact, if you don’t find this material objectionable on at least one level, I’d call you a sociopath.
To start, Fresh is about the dating scene. The opening is for any woman who has ever wondered, “There’s something wrong with him, right? There’s just got to be something wrong with him, right?” Oh, there is. And let’s hope you never find out what it is.
Noa (Daisy Edgar-Jones) attracted Steve (Sebastian Stan) in a grocery store. He was a tad aggressive, but when you act a little goofy, smile like Sebastian Stan and there’s a camera there, well, what do you think is gonna happen? Noa just couldn’t say, “Noa.” Well it’s all fun ‘n’ games until you’re chained to a wall in the middle of nowhere and missing half you ass, huh?
What do you suppose a steady diet of Karens tastes like? (Insert your own punch line here)
The truly insidious part of
this film is how matter-of-fact Steve is about his own sociopathy. He’ll outwardly admit his own eccentricities, and then explain the transactional nature of his evil. Oh, he’s much more Elon Musk than Hannibal Lecter. I’m not sure if that makes it better or worse.
With cannibalism and private kidnap jail, Fresh obviously owes a fair amount to The Silence of the Lambs. Again, I’m not sure if that makes it better or worse. It does make for decent horror. This is certainly a situation one could only describe as “horror.” Gotta love that kind of purity. Fresh has a tendency to give in to the worst, like the film is taunting you as you cringe; there are several scenes of dining and the camera takes wicked joy in showing cannibalism as cuisine. As a fan of good, I’m horrified. As a fan of film, I’m riveted.
I’m hoping to avoid the uncouth
Advising cannibals with a sweet tooth
There’s Cookie and Coco,
Kit, Kat, and Carmelo
But make sure to save room for Baby Ruth
Rated R, 114 Minutes
Director: Mimi Cave
Writer: Lauryn Kahn
Genre: Cringe!
Type of being most likely to enjoy this film: Fans of modern horror … and cannibals
Type of being least likely to enjoy this film: Anybody with a weak stomach
