The Mortuary Assistant Review: A Horror Film That Simulates Morgue Work with Conviction
Based on Brian Clarke's popular indie video game, The Mortuary Assistant is a horror movie that leads with its biggest strength: practical effects. The film follows Rebecca, played by Willa Holland, and Raymond, portrayed by Paul Sparks, as they prepare a body for cremation. The various embalming techniques are recreated convincingly and even lovingly, mirroring the game's detailed simulation aspect.
Simulation and Practical Effects Shine
This element of simulation, a major part of the game's appeal, is where the film works best, albeit without the original's interactivity. The Mortuary Assistant succeeds in immersing viewers in the shoes of someone wiring a cadaver's jaw, injecting chemicals into arteries, and removing fluids from various body cavities. Needless to say, the audience for this aspect is perhaps a little more specific than a run-of-the-mill horror movie.
Where the Film Falls Apart
Where a broader audience might be better served is in the areas where the film falls apart. As Rebecca begins a solo nightshift, it quickly becomes clear that various corpses are possessed by demons. This is communicated by techniques similar to those employed in films like Insidious or The Conjuring, ghost train movies that involve brightly lit contrasting narratives.
The Mortuary Assistant lacks the light to contrast with the shadows: Rebecca and Raymond are both dark, tormented, oblique characters, occupying dark, tormented, stylised worlds, and there's very little light to balance it out. After a while, you adjust: what should be scary stops being scary; it's just the norm for these guys.
Strengths and Potential for a Sequel
It's a shame, because the film is well-directed, the practical effects are aces throughout, and it's certainly an original premise. It would be interesting to see a sequel that either fully commits to complex characterisation of the elevated sort needed to make a gloomy narrative sing, or else goes schlockier and more formulaic, with some cheesy good guys to really feel afraid for.
The Mortuary Assistant is available on Shudder and AMC+ from 27 March.
