SUITABLE FLESH: Movie Review By Matt Boiselle

Starring: Heather Graham, Judah Lewis, Barbara Crampton

Directed by: Joe Lynch

With the majority of the bells & whistles contained in a Lovecraftian-presentation, director Joe Lynch’s latest film, SUITABLE FLESH brings “doctor/patient relationship” to a whole new level, dismantling the family dynamic right down to its marrow. Grab a seat while I sharpen my dissecting tools to slice this one open & see what’s eating at its insides.

Starring Heather Graham as Dr. Elizabeth Derby – a successful shrink with a solid client list, a husband (Johnathon Schaech) who keeps the home fires burning, and a generally fruitful existence. All of which however gets tossed into the shredder one day when a mysterious new patient named Asa (Lewis) makes his own appointment (at the initial refusal of Doc Derby), and after some contemplation she agrees to hear about his malady…this particular one sends him into horrific convulsions and brings his body & soul into another place, if you will. Turns out that the good doc has become quite smitten with her younger walk-in, and after a brief, albeit thermonuclear tryst, she herself starts to exhibit the same signs that Asa has been displaying. When Elizabeth visits Asa’s father (Bruce Davison), it becomes clear that there’s a nasty body-hopping demon in the mix here, and it’s on the hunt for a younger shell to inhabit.

With an absolutely fantastic performance by Barbara Crampton as Dr. Daniella Upton, each and every scene is wound tightly with intrigue, fervency and the gore is pretty delightful to partake in as well. Aside from a few comedic touches here & there (Lynch even inserts himself as a psych ward orderly – great placement), the movie keeps a stoic line that takes the general sense of relationship stability and chucks a grenade into its foxhole – no one here is immune, and if the demon wants you, it’s going to take you – simple, unfettered & unflinching – a Lovecraftian tribute done to distinctiveness. Some of the in-force activity of the demon can become a bit confusing in the latter stages, but it’s a small impediment to following along with the storyline. All in all, SUITABLE FLESH is definitely a worthwhile addition to the 2023 roster of horror films – it’s available for streaming now so make sure to lock your eyes on it if you get the chance.

Author

Matt Boiselle

At the tender age of 6, Matt was indoctrinated into the horror genre by his mother, who asked him to sit down and watch "The Exorcist" with her - ever since then, it's been a blood-soaked, neon-lit, fever dream of an existence. "You don't make horror...horror makes you."

(Can't remember who came up with this quote, but he was probably off-kilter like I am).