Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Spook Out! Day 1 ~ The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)

Netflix Says...
"A father-son team of small-town coroners performs an autopsy on an unidentified woman with mysterious injuries and a terrifying secret."

I say...
That's a pretty good summary. Bravo, Netflix.

Horror Type...
Supernatural, mystery, medical-procedural

Main Players...
Brian Cox as Tommy Tilden (That's Papa Coroner)
Emile Hirsch as Austin Tilden (Baby Coroner)
Olwen Kelly as Jane Doe (make that Jane Don't bc EEEK!)

I liked...
  • the very methodical, matter-of-fact way the gentlemen go about their work, and the compassion they show their Jane Doe (until it's thoroughly appropriate not to)
  • the vibe, which is moody to start and masterfully builds up the creep factor to 11
  • the pacing, which raised the level of intrigue in a steady, satisfying way
  • the way the story engaged me and made me both desire and dread to learn more about the deceased's origins
  • the way it made me worry about Papa and Baby Coroners
I thought The Autopsy of Jane Doe presented an original idea in an entertaining, hair-raising, way. Also, an occasional view of the body's unmentionables was to be expected, as it was being autopsied after all, but I'm pleased to report there was no gratuitous squickery. (If you will.)

The Meh...
  • Papa Coroner came to some (very kind) conclusions about Jane that I can't agree with, given how the movie ends
  • Important questions are left unanswered (but then, there's probs going to be a sequel)
  • Baby Coroner (medical assistant) had a stereotypically two-dimensional, annoying girlfriend (I liked the actor who played her a lot in her role on Whiskey Cavalier) who served as a mere...what? I don't even know. Plot device? Through her we learn something interesting about the son, but it never develops further because...well, no spoilers here but I just wonder what the point was in even bringing his little secret up as it neither reveals character, nor advances the plot. But that's a minor quibble, bc...

Would I recommend it...?
I would, and I do! Watch it during an ominous storm, if you can. Definitely don't let the sunshine in...

Miscellany...
I knew I recognized Papa Coroner from something or other. But I've looked up his filmography and I still don't know where I've seen him before, lol. (Probably bc he's been in a LOT of stuff!) I have to commend his wonderful American accent in this flick--I had no idea he was a Scot!

Ratings...
My Grade: B+
Rotten Tomatoes Scores: Tomatometer=86%, Audience Score=70%

Details, Schmeetails...
I Watched The Autopsy of Jane Doe on Netflix (the Rotten Tomatoes page linked above provides links to other host sites)


This concludes Day 1 of...


2 comments:

  1. Been meaning to check out this movie for a long time now. Have seen so many people praise it. Sounds like a good start to your horror movie marathon!

    ReplyDelete

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