American Mary Reviews

Moral depravity, sexual deviation, and extreme body modification are all on gut-churning display here in "American Mary," a surprisingly polished indie horror film with a impressive performance by Katherine Isabelle.

As someone who found "The Human Centipede II (Full Sequence)" too strident, I can say I found that "American Mary" had a well-needed (and unnerving) realism that adds a kick to the violent scenes, of which there are many. Oh, boy, you have no idea.

Mary Mason (Isabelle) is a seemingly normal, attractive aspiring surgeon who is introduced to the world of Extreme Body Modifications. Want laces sewn through your back? 'Need' horns applied to your head for a more demonic look? Mary is on the job.

But when Mary is attacked at a party, her surgical skills come to good use as she deals with the attacker in the harshest way possible. My first reaction is shock that this 'body modification' thing actually exists. My second reaction is actual pity for Mary's victimizer. No THING, no matter how dastardly, deserves that.

The cinematography in "American Mary" is very prim and professional, and the make-up and gore effects challenge the assumption that 'indie' is synonymous with 'amateur.' I was nearly convinced that the face of the actress who played emotionally damaged plastic surgery freak Ruby Realgirl (Paula Lindberg) was the real deal but I soon discovered that Lindberg was a perfectly lovely blonde.

The mask-like face of modifier Beatriss (Tristan Risk) is equally frightening, though less believably so. The performances were altogether good, and I think Katherine Isabelle has what it takes to become a modern scream queen. Her transformation from everyday college student to morally bankrupt 'underground' surgeon to sadistic, levelheaded, confident killer is compelling and adept.

Directors and sisters Sylvia and Jen Soska (who also appear in the movie as the 'Demon Twins from Berlin' have created a frightening vision of the moral abyss of the surgical world, and the freaks and refuse that exist within it. I couldn't help but feel sorry for the people who would put themselves through surgical Hell in order to deal with deep-seated issues that would be better confronted in the shrink's office.

Ruby Realgirl's bodily obsession was sickening, and you just wanted to tell her to TALK TO SOMEONE- that will help. The movie was really a tragedy in some ways, especially the end. The title "'American' Mary" makes you think after the movie is over about the price of beauty, the price of wealth, and how we define being 'happy' or 'wanted.' It's a bitter pill, but one well worth your time.

A very original movie, not quite horror, not quite torture, and only unfulfilled revenge (the rape tape). The costumes were great, and there isn't too much blood.
I felt at first that the body modification element was unjustly portrayed, as the characters displaying it were prostitutes, and Mary was repulsed by the image alteration surgery she performed. However in the second half of the film, Mary is enjoying the lifestyle she gained by entering the community, and those within it do not judge her for not conforming to their taste for alteration, but admire her skill with a scalpel.
I think the revenge element fell flat because the torture victim had to be disposed of before he fulfilled his purpose, and the other man who should also have been punished was dealt with by Billy, who had nothing to do with the rape of Mary.
I was disappointed with the ending. As we watch Mary become darker, indulging her customers' wishes and turning down tame requests, she seems to also want a relationship of some kind with Billy. The way she turned on the blonde stripper was very out of character. Before, it was easy to feel empathy and pity for Mary as the victim of a male-dominated surgery environment, forcing her to abandon her aspirations. This completely justifies the abduction and torment of her rapist. It was very disappointing to see Beatrice and Ruby as victims of male anger when they were previously using their individuality and unique appearance to their own advantage. This film sets up successful females only to tear them down. That's why I was so unhappy with Mary's ending. Perhaps it would have been better to allow her to disappear, with only photos appearing on her website depicting her latest work.

Very good movie, had a good time since I watched a theme as creative as this in a movie of this genre

It deserves to be seen.