Gut (2012)

An independent production directed by Elias, Gut is an interesting piece that wears its influence on its sleeve but is very effective throughout.
A weary and bloodied Tom (Jason Vail) immediately sets the film’s tone and shows that all is not well in his life. This is a brief insight into events that will happen later in the film and we are soon back in more pleasant territory. The film establishes Tom as a family man, initially seeming content in his job and relationship. He works with his childhood friend Dan (Nicholas Wilder) and the two are seen to be drifting apart until Dan lays his hands on some seriously disturbing underground DVDs.

As the story develops the audience are taken out of their comfort zone with some incredibly graphic and disturbing cutaways to the human body and the slicing of flesh. These shots coincide well with the gradual breakdown that the male leads sustain and this helps to put you in the head of the characters; the viewer shares the revulsion and intrigue of the duo.

Speaking of the two leads, the performances aren’t fantastic but the chemistry between the two is believable and there is little doubt that the two could have been childhood friends. It’s the chemistry between them that helps build the fantastic atmosphere that the film delivers. At no point is it made explicitly clear which of the two men is being adversely affected by the films.

Expanding on the earlier mention of influences on the work, the film plays as something of a visual homage to the early body shock of David Cronenberg, Videodrome being the most explicit reference point on display here. The soundtrack too takes inspiration from earlier films, it’s an effective stripped-down effort that really adds to the film. To the filmmaker’s credit Gut never slips into ‘rip-off’ territory and is different enough from the work that preceded it to stand on its own two feet.

Overall it’s decent little horror that shows a lot of potential from its makers, well worth a watch for any self respecting horror fan.