A father and son, both coroners, are pulled into a complex mystery while attempting to identify the body of a young woman, who was apparently harboring dark secrets.
The Norwegian director André Øvredal (Troll Hunter) was inspired to do a REAL horror movie after attending a screening of The Conjuring. He immediately called his agent and told them that they should try and find a good horror script for him. A month later they showed him this script and he was immediately interested. The Autopsy of Jane Doe stars Emile Hirsch (Into the Wild, also grew up in Santa Fe) and Brian Cox (Morgan, Red) as father-and-son coroners who experience supernatural phenomena while examining the body of an unidentified woman, played by Olwen Kelly (Darkness on the Edge of Town). It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2016, to much acclaim and was released on December 21st worldwide. As Øvredal's first English-language film it even made J.P.'s Top 13 for 2016, and here's why...
The Autopsy of Jane Doe is a REAL horror film in the finest John Carpenter b-movie tradition. It isn't enough that it takes place within the creepiest part of the hospital or that it is largely about 2 men dealing with their relationship as father and son vicariously through the mystery that is Jane Doe. This film is a well choreographed and acted forensics film with supernatural jump scares that work. The identity of the body is slowly determined and its refreshing that she's not a zombie. Of course the clues are obvious for the seasoned horror fan, but definitely not expected. Everything about The Autopsy of Jane Doe is perfectly assembled to maintain tension, curiosity, and surprise.
According to Øvredal, Kelly had the most difficult role in the film, which we would agree that being naked and playing dead on a cold slab is probably the most challenging roll one could take on. Interestingly, Kelly was the first person interviewed for the role and though others were interviewed Øvredal instantly knew she was right for the role. One of the reasons she was selected was her knowledge of yoga, which helped her control her body and breathing. He's also reflected on how wonderfully well Brian Cox and Emile Hirsch worked together to the point where he would just set up the camera and watch them go. Instant chemistry with a well written and prepared story is obvious.
The Autopsy of Jane Doe is currently available at Amazon and your favorite digital service.
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