Dir. Jen & Sylvia Soska | Now Streaming On: Tubi | Rating: 5/5

Directed by the Soska sisters, American Mary has risen to cult classic status in the last decade, especially among body and revenge horror fans. Despite what my rating of this film may have you believe, I’m not a huge fan of either subgenre. I am, however, a supporter of revenge horror written by women and for women, which is exactly what this film is. I can go into great detail on the problems behind revenge horror written by men and why I refuse to watch Last House on the Left, even as a Wes Craven fan, but that’s for another review. ⁠
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While some viewers could say that the intense modifications Mary performs are the monstrosities of the film, it’s clear the Soskas are painting men as the true monsters. Men are given little pity or empathy from the view of the camera, even during some of the most gruesome scenes to grace body horror in the last decade. While we’re discussing these scenes, it would be neglectful to leave out the fact that all gore in this film is achieved through practical effects and no visual effects.⁠
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Though still a black comedy, Mary’s trauma and the aftermath is handled tactfully. Mary’s fall from grace and rise to god-like status as “Bloody Mary” is sold by the performance of the stunning scream queen Katherine Isabelle. Is this film perfect? No, of course not. The pacing of the last act is wonky and the ending is lackluster in comparison to the rest of the storyline. But, will this gross you out, entertain you, and leave you thinking “good for her?” Yes. Yes, it will. ⁠
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Know Before You Watch: Features intense gore, blood, death, rape, body modification, medical imagery and scenes. ⁠