Courtesy of RLJE Films

The ‘80s were such an iconic decade for horror fans. The genre was pushing boundaries with grotesque effects work and graphic violence like we hadn’t really seen previously. For so many of us who cut our teeth on those films, we look back on that time period with the utmost fondness and reverence. Now, contemporary filmmakers who grew up watching those iconic classics are using that era as a point of inspiration to create their own interpretations. Sometimes these efforts read as uninspired or cynical, but other times they strike a healthy balance between original ideas and nostalgia.

Working from a script by Dennis Paoli, Joe Lynch strikes exactly such a balance with Suitable Flesh. With the flick now streaming on Hulu, there’s no time like the present to take it in for yourself. With that said, we recognize that taking a chance on a new film is a calculated risk and that you might need a bit more convincing. Fear not, we’re prepared to make a compelling case.

But first, let’s dive into the narrative details of Suitable Flesh:

Psychiatrist Elizabeth Derby (Heather Graham) becomes obsessed with helping a young patient (Judah Lewis) who is suffering from extreme personality disorder. However, it soon leads her into occult danger as she tries to escape from a horrific fate.

Now that you have a bit more context, let’s jump back to why the film is worth the time investment. Our Josh Korngut screened it out of Tribeca back in 2023 and made a compelling argument for why Suitable Flesh should be on your radar. He praised the film as a largely successful adaptation that channels the late Stuart Gordon by realizing a Lovecraft story (“The Thing on the Doorstep”) with a sexy edge that nods to past efforts like Re-Animator and From Beyond. His final word on the picture reads: “Suitable Flesh is an outlandish Lovecraft adaptation and a must-watch for fans of raunchy ’80s horror.”

I agree with everything that Josh has to say above. I’d also add that Heather Graham is a welcome sight. She’s completely committed to the role, playing a quite composed version of Dr. Derby at the onset, and ultimately going to shocking and unexpected extremes as her character contends with possession by a malevolent force. And that’s to say nothing of frequent Stuart Gordon collaborator Barbara Crampton, who also demonstrates great versatility in her triumphant return to cosmic horror.

Assuming you’re sold and in the mood for a campy throwback that features standout practical effects, plenty of stage blood, and a memorable cast who are fully willing to lean into the farcical nature of the setup, make your way over to Hulu and give Suitable Flesh a look.

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