The Human Centipede, released in 2009, proclaims itself as a ‘100% medically accurate nightmare.’ I refer to it as a shameful piece of Euro-trash.
In case you missed the original, The Human Centipede (First Sequence), I am tempted to proclaim how lucky you are. Nonetheless the sequel, The Human Centipede (Full Sequence) will officially open in U.S. theatres on October 7. It will be released under the distribution of IFC Films. As of now, the film remains unrated by the MPAA, but it is worthwhile to note the movie has been already been declined for distribution (banned) in the United Kingdom.
The first Centipede movie, as well as its sequel, was written and directed by Dutch native Tom Six. The film, set in Germany, depicts the surgical torture and humiliation of three tourists caught in a twisted scientific experiment. Dr. Heiter, played by Dieter Laser, was once a brilliant surgeon who specialized in separating conjoined twins. But now, he has gone mad and for some inexplicable reason wants to build a human centipede. Graphically, the twisted doctor explains to his captives his intent and begins the process of connecting them via their gastric systems in order to fulfill his perverted life-long dream.
Sound sick? The sequel, as displayed on YouTube trailers, promises even more indescribable sickness. Watch it if you dare.
Perhaps even more bizarre is the cult following these films have generated. As of September 14, 2011, there have been over 16 million views of the trailer for HC2 on YouTube. It is an amazing number of hits for a film with limited marketing exposure especially given the U.S. release date is close to a month away. While official sales figures are not currently available, distribution of HC1 via outlets such as Netflix are rumored to be robust.
Even more telling is the promise of a third movie (to be called Final Sequence) with Tom Six once again receiving writing and directing credits. Six has stated HC3 will make the second look like a Disney film, promising to ‘upset a lot of people.’
It is difficult to understand the appeal of The Human Centipede, particularly after viewing the trailers. The film’s plot is utterly ridiculous. There is little in terms of character development to explain why Dr. Heiter pursues building his bizarre creation other than to fulfill an extremely perverse fetish. Visually, the movie contains scenes of amputaion, surgical scaring, and torture.
The only real conclusion I can come to is The Human Centipede series appeals to the sickos in our society. There is no other way to explain how graphic human torture would be palatable in such a context as these films.
It is movie making at its exploitive worst.
If you are like me, the Saw and Hostel movie series were insulting to the intelligence. By comparison, The Human Centipede is pornographic. Tom Six should be ashamed of such a obscene product as should IFC Films.
But then again, this is probably the exact reaction the distributors are looking for.
References: boxofficemojo.com; ifcfilms.com; youtube.com