‘The Profane Exhibit’ Review: A Dark, Depraved, and Disturbing Horror Anthology (original) (raw)

A long-awaited reboot from Unearthed Films, The Profane Exhibit is a 2013 sinister anthology based on segments from internationally acclaimed horror filmmakers. We have Marian Dora, Ruggero Deodato, Uwe Boll, Ryan Nicholson, and Sergio Stivaletti among the collaborators, so there’s something for people looking for a little depravity in their day.

With the opening story “Mother May I”, from Anthony DiBlasi (Malum), the dread begins at an all-girls catholic school run by Sister Sylvia (outstanding performance from Ellen Greene). Through variables of a warped punishment/reward system, the students endure trust issues, self-hate, and manipulation while struggling to get through each brutal day. Lessons learned once we are granted alone time with the rigid Sylvia to see how she copes with her own pressures. This segment is not for the squeamish.

Then, we segue into a completely different realm of horror with “Hell Chef” from Tokyo Gore Police director Yoshihiro Nishimura. While I can appreciate a good Japanese gore fest, this segment’s whimsical flamboyance was beyond unexpected. This peculiar tale of discovering life’s meaning is a droll journey into crude dismemberments, laughter, and interesting cuisine. It essentially plays out like an 80s music video that you only need to watch once.

Other highlights include Uwe Boll’s “Basement”, Ryan Nicholson’s “Goodwife” and Sergio Stivaletti’s “Tophet Quorum”. As a huge fan of Boll’s incredibly disturbing film, Stoic, I wasn’t surprised to see a similarly evil premise carried out in “Basement”. Featuring the quirky Clint Howard in a very disconcerting role, he smiles his way through a suburban dinner with his pristine wife before heading into his basement to fulfill the nightly duties as head of the household before taking the wife to a movie. The horror begins and ends in that basement with such an unconscionable routine that you’ll shudder to comprehend what just happened. The casualness is the most repulsive and gut-wrenching aspect of this segment.

While Nicholson’s “Goodwife” is one of the most cringe-worthy portions of The Profane Exhibit, the most alarming work was Marian Dora’s “Mors in Tabula”. I typically do not enjoy Dora’s arthouse horror. It’s basically forced shock schlock in my opinion. However, “Mors” opens with a very sick boy in war-torn Germany whose family brings in a stern physician to help save his life. What transpires is pure and unforgivable torment that concludes with a very depressing twist.

Each short spotlights a frightful theme from self-mutilation to transmutation. Some tales are more extensive than others, while several penetrate the subject matter in a matter of minutes. Profound and unbelievable, this is one dark journey of viciousness plucked from wicked human minds.

Summary

Profound and unbelievable, ‘The Profane Exhibit’ is a dark journey through the darkest corners of the human mind.

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