• Horror

Grafted 2024

Grafted is a 2024 New Zealand body horror film directed by Sasha Rainbow in her feature debut. The film explores themes of identity, beauty standards, and cultural assimilation through a grotesque and satirical lens.🎬 Plot Overview The story follows Wei (Joyena Sun), a Chinese scholarship student at a prestigious New Zealand university. Shy and self-conscious due to a facial birthmark, Wei becomes determined to complete her late father's experimental skin graft research. Her journey into medical experimentation leads to horrific transformations and violent consequences, especially after a confrontation with her cousin Angela (Jess Hong) and a betrayal by her professor Paul (Jared Turner).📅 Release & Critics Premiere: 9 August 2024 at the New Zealand International Film Festival New Zealand Release: 12 September 2024 Australia Release: 21 November 2024 Streaming: Available on Shudder from 24 January 2025.Critics have praised the film's bold visuals and performances. The Guardian described it as a "punk-infused exploration of modern beauty standards through the macabre lens of skin grafting," noting its blend of horror and social commentary . Dread Central highlighted the film's "shocking and powerful" entry into body horror, emphasizing its exploration of the social capital of beauty .🧠 Themes & Style "Grafted" delves into the grotesque to critique societal expectations and the lengths individuals go to conform. Its style has been compared to Takashi Miike's work, with a mix of horror and punk attitude . While the film's budget constraints are evident, its compelling performances and visual effects make it a standout in the body horror genre.📺 Where to Watch Grafted is currently available for streaming on Shudder and Amazon Prime.📝 Conclusion Grafted (2024) is a bold and visceral entry into the body horror genre, combining grotesque visuals with sharp social commentary. Through its story of a young woman’s descent into obsessive self-reinvention, the film critiques beauty standards, cultural identity, and scientific ambition. Though made on a modest budget, its striking direction, compelling performances—particularly by Joyena Sun—and punk-inspired aesthetic make it a memorable and thought-provoking watch. For fans of unsettling horror with thematic depth, Grafted is a must-see. Read More

• 2024
• 1 h : 33 min
• 202 views
• 5.589
• R16