Suitable Flesh (2023) Review

Joe Lynch’s Suitable Flesh steps onto the FrightFest scene as a curious addition, both paying tribute to the late Stuart Gordon’s legacy and weaving its own web of body-horror intrigue. Premiered at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival, this loose adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft’s The Thing On The Doorstep certainly doesn’t shy away from its raunchy tendencies, yet it attempts to carve its niche in a crowded subgenre.

The film’s premise revolves around Dr. Elizabeth Derby (Heather Graham), a once-respected psychiatrist who succumbs to an unhealthy obsession with her younger patient, Asa Waite (Judah Lewis), known for his battle with multiple personalities. As she becomes more entwined in Asa’s chaotic world, a supernatural undercurrent surfaces, hinting at an ancient curse.

As Elizabeth’s fascination grows, she becomes entangled in a nightmare of unseen forces and body-hopping madness, while grappling with her own desires and obsessions. The film weaves a twisted narrative that blurs the lines between reality and the supernatural, exploring themes of possession, lust, and the fragility of the human mind. As the story unfolds, it offers a blend of psychological tension, gory sequences, and a dose of eroticism, all set within the realm of Lovecraft’s otherworldly horror.

Graham, playing a character navigating dangerous waters, brings a certain gravitas to the proceedings. Lewis, though relatively new to the scene, impressively juggles his character’s psychological complexities. The film’s heart, however, lies in Barbara Crampton‘s portrayal of Dr. Daniella Upton – a poignant link to Gordon’s cinematic legacy.

Yet, amidst the titillation and intrigue, Suitable Flesh at times struggles to find its tonal balance. Lynch’s direction, while unearthing echoes of Gordon’s aesthetic, frequently wavers between sensual and sinister. His decision to infuse overt sexuality with Lovecraftian dread often results in a disjointed viewing experience, where the haunting atmosphere occasionally loses ground to the quest for shock value.

The narrative attempts to encapsulate cosmic dread through a very human lens, a blend that can be engrossing but occasionally feels muddled in execution. While Lynch deserves credit for attempting to bridge the gap between bodily desires and surreal horrors, the script’s uneven pacing threaten dilute the impact of both at times. Thankfully this is usually salvaged by the artistic capabilities of the cast.

The film’s aesthetics evoke an ’80s vibe, harkening back to a time when Lovecraft adaptations were characterized by a specific blend of grit and grime. At times Lynch’s modern sensibilities do clash with this nostalgic backdrop, resulting in a visual disconnect that occasionally takes viewers out of the experience. But this is a common issue and very few manage to perfect the nostalgic feel when producing modern horror.

Suitable Flesh offers a tantalising glimpse into the complex relationship between horror and desire, a junction where lust and fear intersect. As Lynch navigates the intricate terrain of Lovecraft’s universe, he ventures into new territories that might not fully align with the film’s ultimate destination, but work nonetheless.

The film shows an intriguing intent to fuse the intimate and the cosmic, but its struggles with tonal consistency and execution prevent it from becoming a seamless addition to the pantheon of Lovecraftian horror. It’s a film that captures moments of eerie allure but ultimately leaves viewers yearning for a more refined marriage of its provocative elements.

As the credits roll and the echoes of Lovecraft’s uncanny world fade, Suitable Flesh stands as a valiant attempt to continue the legacy of horror auteurs like Stuart Gordon.

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Suitable Flesh Trailer