A plot as unmistakably allegorical as 2013's 'Contracted'; a suggested ending as horrid as 2012's 'Thanatomorphose': We've seen this 12-minute short before, in longer forms, but that doesn't diminish the cringe-worthy putridity of the body horror. I could do with a little more subtlety for my part; that the harmless exposition is given five minutes at the outset takes away from the greater time that could have been devoted to the protagonist's transformation, so what we do get feels condensed and amplified in kind. Still, it looks great - the blood and gore, and makeup work generally. Though limited to what a short film allows, I think Lee Marshall illustrates fine range and nuance as Alice, and I hope to see more from her in the future; I see strong potential. As both writer and director Amelia Moses shows a deft hand; I think 'Undress me' could have benefited from a more drawn out emphasis on Alice's degradation, but from a standpoint of fundamentals Moses' work is solid. Why, I didn't realize until after watching this small feature that she had directed 2020 werewolf flick 'Bloodthirty,' which I greatly enjoyed; clearly Moses has the capability, and if anything one might argue that 'Undress me' represents the development of her skills.
Putting all this aside, the key for any movie - horror not least of all - is making the viewer feel invested, or eliciting definite feelings or reactions. This isn't the most immediately grabbing piece I've watched, but it's executed well, and the genre element is distinctly gruesome and duly revolting. On that basis alone I'd call 'Undress me' a success, let alone its other qualities, and other technical aspects of its craft are just as fine. When all is said and done this isn't an essential watch - but then, at only 12 minutes, why not?
Putting all this aside, the key for any movie - horror not least of all - is making the viewer feel invested, or eliciting definite feelings or reactions. This isn't the most immediately grabbing piece I've watched, but it's executed well, and the genre element is distinctly gruesome and duly revolting. On that basis alone I'd call 'Undress me' a success, let alone its other qualities, and other technical aspects of its craft are just as fine. When all is said and done this isn't an essential watch - but then, at only 12 minutes, why not?
