The Stink of Flesh: A Film Review

I have a new favorite in the B-movie genre: The Stink of Flesh. My husband requested this film and, after reading the description, I agreed wholeheartedly. We love zombie movies. The promise of a sensual angle was intriguing. The movie didn't only surpass my expectations. The other small-budget flicks that I have under my belt fall squarely in its shadow.

As a zombie film, Flesh is decent. The undead makeup effects are basic but effective. Some portions of the plot are torn nearly verbatim from Night of the Living Dead... not that I blame them for emulating perfection. My taste for gore was sated when the zombies sunk their teeth into a new victim. I'm not sure what Scott Phillips used to simulate flesh and blood, but it was good. Stomach-turning. And it must have been tasty because the actors tore into it voraciously.

We were shocked when we saw that Flesh broke Zombie Rule #1. Zombies are either slow and lumbering or fast and surprisingly cunning for monsters whose brains are turning to mush. This film features both varieties, and has a good explanation to back up the discrepancy.

One interesting aspect of the film is that it's not set at the onset of the undead menace. Zombies have been roaming the countryside for a while now. Most of the remaining people have developed good defense strategies. They're facing the classic post-apocalyptic problems: lack of communication and infrastructure, lawlessness, loneliness and hunger.

At a certain point, Flesh moves beyond its genre. It begins to explore the dynamics of marriage and open relationships. While the walking corpses are always present, the film doesn't rest on the scares, gore and gratuitous nudity that support B-horror. It raises questions about trauma, jealousy and other aspects of humanity. At the same time, the film is careful to stay out of the realm of "thinky" storylines that require a large amount of intellectual involvement and inference. It is, after all, a zombie movie.

Most of the B-list films I enjoy are what I would call beer-and-popcorn movies. They're great to liven up quiet nights at home. In my opinion, The Stink of Flesh rises above that standard. It has substance hidden under the screaming of the devoured. When the credits start, settle in for a self-assured film that doesn't take itself too seriously. And, if you want, bring some beer and popcorn.