It’s Devil’s Night, but if you’ve seen The Autopsy of Jane Doe, then you know it could easily qualify for other themed days in our 31 Days of Halloween celebration. But Devil’s Night has been historically known for tricks- its alternate nickname is Mischief Night- and there are a lot of tricks up this movie’s sleeve. Plus, there’s some interesting subtext to chew on in this story that puts it more in line with, well, I won’t spoil it.
Jane Doe marked director André Øvredal’s first English-language speaking film after his breakout found footage film Trollhunter. He wanted to prove he could do more than found footage and sought out a project that was pure horror. Enter this atmospheric, spooky gem of a film.
You can watch it with us tonight, and chat about it on Twitter using #BloodyHalloween!
Synopsis: Tommy and Austin Tilden are father and son coroners who receive a mysterious homicide victim with no clear outward signs of trauma. As they attempt to identify the woman and pinpoint the cause of her death, they discover increasingly bizarre clues that hold the key to her disturbing secrets. Secrets that refuse to stay dead.
Key Players: Brian Cox and Emile Hirsch star as Tommy and Austin respectively. Ophelia Lovibond plays Austin’s girlfriend Emma, and Michael McElhatton is the county Sheriff Burke. Olwen Catherine Kelly has the toughest job of the bunch as the eponymous Jane Doe.
Why It’s on the List: The Autopsy of Jane Doe is simple horror at its finest. A trio of spectacular performances by Cox, Hirsch, and Kelly. Yes, Kelly. The actress laid on the slab in the nude for 8-10 hours a day, and she looked absolutely lifeless. Even in the grislier autopsy scenes, it was often Kelly covered in prosthetics. Her performance doesn’t get enough credit.
The other breakout star is the brilliant script by Ian Goldberg and Richard Naing. The unwinding mystery behind Jane Doe’s death, and the eventual reveals make for a unique mythology that begs for further exploration. Then there’s that catchy earworm song, “Open up Your Heart (and Let the Sunshine in)” by Cowboy Church Sunday School. Once you hear that ominous tune, it’ll be stuck in your head for days.
Autopsy Accuracy: If autopsies make you squeamish, well, this movie will get under your skin. Øvredal aimed for accuracy here, and he nailed it. Not only was there a medical examiner on set to consult with during production, but Cox and Hirsch studied books, watched a lot of autopsy videos, and even toured the L.A. County Morgue to help prepare for their roles. This clip gives you a taste (pun intended)…
Where You Can Watch: The Autopsy of Jane Doe is available to stream on Netflix, so there’s no excuse not to join us tonight for the live-tweet at 7pm CST/8pm EST! Just hit play, follow us on Twitter and be sure to use #BloodyHalloween to join the discussion!