Appendage review.
Huluween kicks off with an odd, entertaining movie about taking care of your inner demons.
New movie reviews will not contain spoilers.
Appendage
Directed by Anna Zlokovic
Written by Anna Zlokovic
Starring Hadley Robinson, Emily Hampshire, Deborah Rennard, Brandon Mychal Smith, Kausar Mohammed and Pat Dortch
Appendage Review
There is a moment in Appendage, when the titular little monster makes his first appearance, that feels like it’s going to turn into a Frank Henenlotter film. Specifically, a Brain Damage/Basket Case style horror comedy. All the pieces are there for one. The literal appendage is a goofy looking little gremlin that talks in a funny voice and has an unbreakable link to the main character. The story doesn’t head in that direction. For a time…that feels like a missed opportunity. The movie is weird but doesn’t seem enthusiastic about reveling in its weirdness. Luckily, a twist occurs an hour into the movie that takes it down an interesting path.
Hannah (Hadley Robinson) is stressed out. A recurring pain in her side (the place of a large birthmark) eventually gives way to a little monster who attacks her fears and insecurities. She learns that she is a chimera…a carrier of dual DNA after absorbing a twin in the womb. In search of help, Hannah meets a group of people dealing with the exact same problem.
We spend the first hour of Appendage getting to know all about Hannah. We see her relationship with family and friends, her job as a clothing designer…and the impish little monster she keeps chained up in the basement. Until the hour mark of the movie…it’s difficult to know where the story is heading. It mostly treads water until it reveals its twist. The closest we get to narrative movement comes when Hannah meets a group of similarly fated people and learns how they’ve dealt with their own demons. There’s nothing wrong with the movie before the twist…but that Henenlotter style comedy wouldn’t have gone unappreciated either.
Things do get very interesting at the hour mark, however. Appendage reveals what kind of movie it is and finds a different kind of fun to play with. The nature of the turn means we can’t discuss it in a non-spoiler discussion. I’ll just say that I found the last thirty minutes of Appendage very enjoyable. It’s worth dealing with the seeming lack of direction it takes to get there.
What we can discuss is the obvious commentary that Appendage is making on stress and anxiety. They bring Hannah’s little monster to life…and, she learns, their link means she can’t kill the thing. They need each other to survive. She’s taught how to sedate it…effectively keeping it at bay in the basement. Out of sight, out of mind. Now…if you’re following this very overt metaphor…it should be obvious where this is going. The Babadook used a monster in a similar way to discuss grief and mental illness. The answer is never to hide from or bury your monster.
Appendage may take its time getting to the point of all this…but once it does a fun third act awaits. While we can’t talk about what happens narratively…thematically it should be easy to see what Appendage’s end game will be. Some decent body horror kicks off the monster’s journey…and the little guy himself is a hoot. A more comedic approach to something already hilarious to watch move around and talk would have lifted the duller aspects of the story. Once it reveals its plans, however, Appendage starts to soar.
Hulu will offer several new treats this holiday season. The Boogeyman on October 5. Zombie Town and The Tank on October 6. Slotherhouse on October 15. Cobweb on October 20. Along with the recent release of No One Will Save You, Appendage kicks off Huluween in style. With a catalog that already includes movies like Skinamarink, The Menu, Barbarian, Saw, Slash/Back, Hellraiser (2022), Infinity Pool, The Offering, Evil Dead, Hatching, Jagged Mind, See For Me, Fresh, Prey, Clock, Grimcutty, Dog Soldiers, Leprechaun, Leprechaun 2, Werewolves Within, Werewolf by Night, Enys Men, The Lair, Flux Gourmet and many, many more…Hulu is a great place to spend your spooky season.
Scare Value
Appendage felt like it was heading towards a Brain Damage/Basket Case style horror/comedy…but it had other ideas in mind. While some comedy would have livened up the early goings…we end up in an interesting place that provides its own fun. The twist an hour into the story makes Appendage a worthwhile spooky season watch.
3/5
Appendage Link
Streaming on Hulu
