The Mortuary Assistant Film Review: A Horror Adaptation with Conviction
Based on Brian Clarke's popular indie video game, The Mortuary Assistant horror film adaptation leads with its most compelling strength: practical effects. The movie opens with Rebecca, portrayed by Willa Holland, and Raymond, played by Paul Sparks, meticulously preparing a body for cremation. The various embalming techniques are recreated with convincing and even loving detail, mirroring the game's immersive simulation aspect.
Simulation and Practical Effects Shine
This element of simulation, a major part of the game's appeal, is where the film excels, albeit without the original's interactivity. The Mortuary Assistant successfully immerses viewers in the role of someone wiring a cadaver's jaw, injecting chemicals into arteries, and removing fluids from body cavities. Needless to say, the audience for this specific aspect is perhaps more niche than for a typical horror movie.
Narrative Imbalance and Demonic Turns
Where a broader audience might find engagement is in areas where the film struggles. As Rebecca begins a solo nightshift, it quickly becomes apparent that various corpses are possessed by demons. This is communicated using techniques similar to those in films like Insidious or The Conjuring, which often employ brightly lit contrasting narratives.
However, The Mortuary Assistant lacks the light to contrast with the shadows. Rebecca and Raymond are both dark, tormented, and oblique characters, inhabiting stylised, gloomy worlds. There is very little narrative balance to offset this darkness. After a while, viewers adjust: what should be scary stops being frightening and becomes the norm for these characters.
Strengths and Potential for Future Iterations
It is a shame, because the film is well-directed, the practical effects are excellent throughout, and it certainly boasts an original premise. It would be intriguing to see a sequel that either fully commits to complex characterisation of the elevated sort needed to make a gloomy narrative resonate, or goes schlockier and more formulaic, with some cheesy good guys to genuinely fear for.
The Mortuary Assistant is available on Shudder and AMC+ from 27 March, offering a unique but uneven horror experience that fans of the game and genre aficionados might appreciate.
