Review of The ABCs of Death (2013) by Bevan C — 20 Aug 2013

An uneven film that's engrossing, revolting, and thought-provoking, The ABCs of Death seeks to explore the horrific and sometimes darkly humorous concept of dying. What I enjoyed most about this movie was the fact that most of the directors pushed their creativity to some pretty disturbing depths (with varying results).

Some of the episodes were a little crass (F, K, Z), some were just ridiculous or uninspired (M, Q, N), others had some serious bite (the repulsive but unforgettable L; the fantastic and visual treat of O, my favorite letter; the thrilling and visceral R, S, and V; and the hilariously wrong T).

But every single letter has imagery that lasts long after you view the film and say "What the HELL did I just watch??!?" (especially F, W, and Z). All I can say is the Japanese directors are pretty EFFED UP people.

Those of you that have weak stomachs, don't watch this film. It's brutal, unflinching, and a lot of the imagery will continue to haunt you long after it's done. Those of you who enjoy horror films, it's a hit or miss, but at least it was a decent effort.