The Human Centipede 2
(Full Sequence)
Directed by Tom Six
UK/Netherlands 2011
PLOT
Martin Lomax is a mentally impaired and lonely night watchman at an underground parking garage. Being a social outcast, he spends his time repeatedly watching the film The Human Centipede. His obsession leads him to devise a plan to emulate the mad project of Dr. Heiter. Once he figures out his approach, he chooses his victims directly from his workplace.
THOUGHTS
Tom Six directs this sequel in complete contrast to the first film: If in “First Sequence” we had a world-renowned surgeon, a large and beautiful villa, three unlucky prey, few deaths, limited blood, and the human centipede moving outdoors, in this second chapter, the director completely reverses the situation: our protagonist is a deranged sociopathic madman who operates with questionable tools in a filthy, unspeakable warehouse, twelve people are attacked, injured, and involved in his ruthless project, the splatter element is abundant, and the creature moves indoors. Additionally, the choice to film entirely in black and white adds an interesting aesthetic touch to the film.
For the reasons mentioned above, the sequel significantly diverges from the first chapter. Let’s try to understand the outcome.
It’s essential to note that this is an extremely over-the-top horror film, with exceptionally high, often unbearable levels of tolerance.
Here, the director brings to life everything that was merely hinted at in the first film, showing probably all that the more demanding audience wanted to see back then: torture, bodily fluids, smashed skulls, torn skin, broken teeth, people sewn together (still using the mouth-to-anus method) with a stapler, and a single digestive system that this time is shown to function.
Some scenes hit hard, undoubtedly, but others fall short in terms of credibility and realism: particularly two scenes, the one involving a newborn and the centipede (which we won’t describe to avoid spoilers), may come across as grotesque to a more discerning viewer.
But after all, these are risks that Tom Six surely calculated, fully aware that an over-the-top film like The Human Centipede 2 must face to reach its audience. Despite everything, it succeeded and can easily be considered a cult today.
Noteworthy is Laurence Harvey’s performance as the deranged Martin Lomax: with his looks, physicality, and modus operandi, he brings to the screen a completely unconventional character, shaped by a difficult past (due to the abuse he suffered) but with an even more unbearable present.
The connection to the first chapter is also well-executed: the inclusion of the metacinematic context and the involvement of the protagonist.
PANDEMONIUM MOMENT
Choosing just one is nearly impossible, but surely the last half hour is a descent into the deepest inferno of splatter and gore.
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