A fresh take on a genre we’re all so familiar with. Definitely didn’t expect the reveal. Don’t let the title fool you, if you think this is one of those medical related films, you’re gravely mistaken. Directed by André Øvredal (Troll Hunter 2010, The Last Voyage of the Demeter 2023, exec. producer for Umma 2022).

The premise was simple at first but blooms as they peel the skin layer by layer (pun intended). A father and son coroner accepts a Jane Doe (unknown woman) for autopsy, it was a late issue and needs to be done immediately. They worked on it, little did they know what they were actually dealing with.

Characters

A small budget horror film with only a handful of on-screen characters. All of whom were great.

• Brian Cox as the father was stellar, his performance was authentic. The film that instantly hits me when I saw him here was his role as Agamemnon in Troy (2004).
• Emile Hirsch as the son was okay, to be honest he was carried by Cox.
• Olwen Catherine Kelly as our Jane Doe was the best in the film. She had the hardest job of them all. Lying still on a cold stainless steel table butt naked in front of all those men in the room. She said that her background as a model helped her a lot with regards to being nude in public. Also, her experience with yoga helped with keeping her composure and breathing. Specially doing those close-up scenes. Yes, most of the scenes that were shot was her, and not a dummy doll.

Efficient use of small location set

The set location was budgeted but was utilized in the best of way. The main operating room/morgue freezer was a good decision, its like 2 for 1, more possible scenes in one room alone. In close quarters, it also adds that claustrophobic element. Imagine being in one room with all the dead and shit started happening. The hallway and that convex mirror (corner mirror) was a great idea, a dark, tight corridor and you see a figure on the turn, who in their right mind would go forward? I know I’d immediately run back.

The closeup shots of our Jane Doe lying on the table was eerie and creepy. She stares dead ahead at the camera, its feels like she’s actually looking at me. I find it hard even to do what she does doing a staring contest while being naked and everybody is looking at you. At first, I really thought its one of those dummy dolls. Mind you, she never once moved a muscle throughout the entirety of the film.

Music

Music was on-point, it adds to the overall creepiness of the film. The music that we keep hearing is “Open Up Your Heart
Written” by Stuart Hamblen which is a pretty good song.

Conclusion

Autopsy of Jane Doe is a breath of fresh air. Imagine being with a body of a dead witch and you thought you’re safe because its dead, but all the while, it’s body oozes off curses with no triggering factor. Anyone who comes into contact with it will surely perish.

The Autopsy of Jane Doe is definitely a must-watch. The ending caught me off guard and it was a very unforgiving ending, but it fits the storyline very well that it made me happy that it ended how it did. Just don’t watch it alone.