The Autopsy of Jane Doe

I waited the entire time for the final ultra-shock, such as that I got from, for example, the Spanish movie [REC], but it never came. I waited for it because the director managed to delicately escalate the horror-like tension to the point that viewers could feel it in the marrow of their bones. The A-list acting duo gives the movie some prestige, you can smell the stench of dead bodies in the morgue from each shot, and the unmoving, soulful look of actress Olwen Catherine Kelly will haunt you for long hours after you’ve finished watching. It’s a pity that the logic of the plot suffered. With a better script, this could have been the best horror movie of 2016. (01/10/2017)

I hope André Øvredal will start working at a faster pace, because I don’t want to wait another six years for his next genre piece. Both of his films so far, Troll Hunter and now The Autopsy of Jane Doe, are great examples of how to bring something original to the horror genre. They aren’t revolutionary game-changers, rather, they slightly alter and playfully appropriate templates, which is more than enough. On top of that, this film is directed with a firm hand, the camera navigates the interiors of the morgue with grace, and some sequences are text-book examples of how to create tension and horror scenes. The characters are likeable and don’t behave too stupidly, and the core mystery manages to reliably arouse and maintain the curiosity. I won’t pretend the film doesn’t have any weak elements (for me, it was the reveal, when the characters suddenly unravel the mystery and everything is explained to the viewer – IMHO, it would have been better to just tap on the details and let the viewers figure things out for themselves), but overall I’m very satisfied. (12/21/2016)

Quality horror films are truly a scarce commodity these days, so I was excited like a child for a new addition to this genre. I actually don’t know why horror hasn’t been linked with an autopsy before, as it’s a damn good idea with high potential. The film’s plot takes place in a single location, which could be a drawback elsewhere, but here it fits perfectly. The atmosphere is masterfully crafted, leaving me breathless at times. The main duo was quite well-matched. The actual autopsy was technically flawless and looked very realistic. There were also a few fresh ideas, and I’d particularly highlight the one involving the bell, as the scenes with it gave me goosebumps. There were certainly a few minor errors or meaningless moments in the script, but I didn’t notice any significant mistakes. The best moment was the one with the axe (those who saw it know what I mean), and of course the ending, where things seemed hopeful, but Jane Doe just wouldn’t rest and had to take out the last survivor. We need more films like this. I give it 82%. (03/10/2017)

I had no idea how much fun you can have watching two dissectors sinking themselves, sometimes up to their elbows, into the slippery entrails of the motionless Jane Doe. Up to a certain point in the story, the filmmakers managed to build up a very strong atmosphere full of suspense and fear of the unknown. Had they managed to keep it up until the end, it would have been a clear five stars. But despite my disappointment in the last third, I did have fun. I was thrilled, and I believe that many viewers will switch on the lights in all the rooms on their way to the toilet at night while anxiously looking over their shoulder. (11/14/2017)

For a long time when watching a horror movie, it didn’t happen to me that I would be so terrible shocked by its atmosphere, which kept me at the edge of my seat, from the very beginning of the movie. This tension stayed with me for almost an hour. Not only was the atmosphere bombastic, but the disgusting premise of the film was also set in motion – an autopsy which didn’t really add to the impression of a nice and friendly horror movie. But maybe it was the fear of the unknown that made me scared out of my wits. Exactly an hour later, the point of all the events began to be explained and the whole atmosphere went to hell. There was just so much bullshit happening in the movie that I felt like going to the bathroom to think about what the creator meant by it. Quality actors, interesting premise, perfect adaptation, those were all positive. And in the end, the positives won despite the joke that was the last half hour. (06/28/2017)