Grafted is a fascinating body horror film that blends grotesque physical transformation with poignant social commentary, resulting in a compelling and unsettling experience. Director Sasha Rainbow, in her feature debut, delivers an intriguing exploration of beauty, identity, and the lengths people will go to for acceptance. At the heart of the film is Wei (Joyena Sun), a young woman haunted by the traumatic death of her father while experimenting with skin grafts. Now, years later, Wei continues her father’s work, trying to perfect the horrifying procedure while struggling to fit in with her new life in New Zealand. As she becomes more entangled in her need for social acceptance, the body horror becomes a mirror to her emotional deterioration, showing just how far she’s willing to go to reshape herself, not just physically but emotionally as well.
The film is full of memorable, stomach-churning visuals, and Rainbow knows how to utilize her limited budget to full effect. The close-ups of flesh being altered, the raw, uncomfortable moments of transformation, and the chilling imagery of faces being sliced and grafted together are all executed with impressive practical effects that will leave a lasting impression on horror fans. The use of CGI is minimal but effective, seamlessly blending with the practical effects without detracting from the visceral impact. Rainbow’s direction captures the macabre beauty of the situation, often using a shallow depth of field and wide-angle lenses to enhance the hyper-real nature of the events unfolding. These visuals, combined with her stark, almost clinical approach to body horror, create a film that is as artistically unsettling as it is grotesque.
The performances in Grafted are another highlight, particularly from Joyena Sun, whose portrayal of Wei’s descent into madness is both tragic and terrifying. Her character is at war with herself, constantly torn between her true identity and the pressure to conform to societal beauty standards. This internal struggle is matched by the performances of Angela (Jess Hong) and her friend Eve (Eden Hart), who play the superficial antagonists with such over-the-top malice that their comeuppance in the latter half of the film is immensely satisfying. The shift towards a slasher-esque finale, while jarring at first, fits the narrative perfectly, amplifying the horror and offering a cathartic release for both the characters and the audience.
Despite its many strengths, Grafted doesn’t quite explore its themes as deeply as it could. The film touches on the psychological impact of body image issues, generational trauma, and the danger of becoming consumed by the desire for external validation, but these ideas often feel underdeveloped, leaving the film to rely more on its visceral shock value than its intellectual depth. The timeline of events also feels uneven, with some sequences rushing ahead while others drag, creating a sense of narrative dissonance that might alienate some viewers. However, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise engaging and effective body horror film that succeeds in its ability to disturb and entertain.
Grafted feels like it would be right at home as a segment in Creepshow, where its over-the-top body horror and darkly satirical commentary would be perfectly suited for a brief, punchy storytelling format. The film’s focus on grotesque transformations and the absurdity of Wei’s descent into madness could easily slot into a 20-minute anthology episode, delivering its shocking moments in a more compact, episodic structure. Yet, despite its origins feeling like they belong in a shorter format, Grafted works remarkably well as a feature. The expanded runtime allows for deeper exploration of Wei’s character and emotional turmoil, giving the horror an added layer of poignancy. While the film’s episodic tone occasionally feels at odds with its longer narrative, it’s still a thrilling ride that stands on its own as an unsettling and visually stunning feature-length film. The balance of grotesque horror and emotional drama manages to sustain its momentum, proving that sometimes even the most Creepshow-like concepts can thrive when given more time to unravel.
Ultimately, Grafted is a bold, visually striking film that pushes the boundaries of body horror while telling a deeply human story about self-image, identity, and the dangers of losing oneself in the pursuit of perfection. It’s not without its flaws, but it’s a confident debut from Sasha Rainbow and a promising entry into the genre. If you’re a fan of body horror and dark, twisted narratives, Grafted will certainly leave its mark on you.
4/5 Stars
