Running Time: 97 Minutes
Starring: Jorge Guerreiro, George Sauma, Pierri Baitelli, Luiz Carlos Persy, Jade Mascarenhas
The Flesh Itself sets the scene with opening text that highlights the South American Paraguayan War, whose over 400,000 victims ensured it was the largest massacre of the 19th century. This led to many soldiers intent on escaping the horror of war, hiding out as deserters with the knowledge that being caught would result in their execution.
This is where co-writer/director Ian SBF begins his story, as a colonel stopping to smoke leaves him ambushed by three deserter soldiers - Gustavo (Jorge Guerreiro), Gabriel (Pierre Baitelli), and Anselmo (George Sauma). As the trio permanently silence the colonel, it is clear that they are haunted by their experiences. With full knowledge that they will likely die before reaching freedom, the deserter soldiers make the journey. They soon find an isolated house inhabited only by a mysterious farmer (Luiz Carlos Persy), and a quiet young woman (Jade Mascarenhas). What appears to be a safe haven soon reveals its sinister side, as it turns out these three are just the latest arrivals.
War is hell. That simple and well-known phrase cuts through the glamorisation which can be used to depict warfare, but it is a saying not limited to the battlefield. People elsewhere are emboldened to commit their own atrocities, particularly when facing those who would rather preserve their lives by escaping the horrors of war. Take the farmer, an old man who knows more than he lets on, and is intent on pushing whatever buttons he can. It makes for a chilling persona intent on putting the deserters through hell, as he approaches such nastiness with a casualness.
On the receiving end of that nastiness is Gustavo, something that he has experienced all his life as a Black man who was taken from his mother and put into slavery. His skin colour has left him on edge all of his life, with such racist stupidity leaving him confused, and he just wants to forget the horrible things that he has to do to stay alive. It makes for a compelling protagonist, and someone that is more interesting than his fellow runaways.
Meanwhile, the tension is felt as the soldiers close in on their trail, unaware of the terrors unfolding inside. There are interesting threads brought up late into the story, which hint at a more fascinating story, but these aspects are not given the time that they deserve. There are also some terrific physical effects, moments which make it more unfortunate when the film resorts to glaring CG effects. It all makes for a grim tale in The Flesh Itself.
The Flesh Itself made its UK Premere at FrightFest 2026
Comments