The Human Centipede (First Sequence) is a 2009 Dutch horror film written, directed, and co-produced by Tom Six. The film tells the story of a mad scientist who kidnaps and surgically connects three people together, mouth-to-anus, forming a “human centipede”.
The Human Centipede is a disgusting, repulsive, and abhorrent film that is difficult to watch. The acting is poor, the writing is terrible, and the overall concept is just plain sick. However, there is something strangely compelling about the film, and it is definitely a must-see for horror fans.
The Human Centipede is definitely one of the more gruesome movies that has emerged in recent years; not that it’s necessarily visually gruesome (gore wise) but conceptually it’s very nasty. The thought of having your mouth surgically attached to another person’s anus is none too appealing (unless they have a scat infatuation – but even then) and the creators of the movie are well aware of the intrinsic nastiness the movie’s premise offers. For example, Dr. Heiter seems to take a cruel satisfaction in letting his victims (and our’s) mind dwell on what is coming to them.
I don’t know what it is about torture movies and European locales but the combo does seem to strike a more visceral chord than when done on the other side of the Atlantic and The Human Centipede is no different in this regard. The movie just comes off as being a lot grittier than most American flicks.
The acting quality is pretty much as good as you could expect from a movie of this kind, in this budget range. Indeed Dieter Laser completely steals the show as the maniacal Dr, who for certain has more than a few screws loose. The two American actresses playing the girls are good also, though frankly their characters are there to be tortured and very little else.
This leads me to the inevitable conclusion of this review… Is The Human Centipede a movie i want to recommend to others? Well, i would certainly recommend it to lovers of the torture genre, it’s not that gory truth be told but it is unnerving in parts and there’s a dark atmosphere that’s pervasive throughout, which, torture aficionados should enjoy. For those that don’t dig torture flicks I don’t think this movie will convert them, so in this case best stick with a rental if you’re curious.
The Human Centipede is not for the faint of heart. It is a film that will make you squirm in your seat, and it is not for everyone. However, if you are a fan of horror films, then this is a must-see.
Synopsis
The Human Centipede (First Sequence) is a 2009 Dutch horror film written, directed, and co-produced by Tom Six. The film tells the story of a Japanese mad scientist (played by Akihiro Kitamura) who, after becoming obsessed with a controversial medical procedure, kidnaps two tourists (Ashley C. Williams and Ashlynn Yennie) and sews them together, mouth-to-anus, to create a human centipede.
The film received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its concept and others criticising its graphic and disturbing content. It was banned in several countries, and sparked debate about the limits of artistic expression.
The film opens with a Japanese man, Dr. Heiter, performing surgery on a woman. He then explains to her that he is going to sew her mouth to her anus, and that she will be the first in a series of human centipedes.
The woman wakes up after the surgery, and finds herself in a dark room with two other people. They are all naked, and their mouths are sewn to each other’s anuses.
Dr. Heiter explains that they are now a human centipede, and that they will have to learn to work together in order to survive. He tells them that if they try to escape, he will kill them.
The three victims are forced to eat, drink, and defecate together. They are also forced to crawl around on all fours, like a real centipede.
The victims start to develop a bond with each other, and they eventually escape. However, they are quickly recaptured by Dr. Heiter.
The film ends with the three victims still sewn together, and Dr. Heiter telling them that they are now his “perfect little pet”.
Movie Details
Director: Tom Six
Writer: Tom Six
Actors: Dieter Laser, Ashley C. Williams, Ashlynn Yennie
Release Year: 2009