American Guinea Pig: Sacrifice is a 2017 Italian horror film directed by Poison Rouge (actress in Phantasmagoria; House of Flesh Mannequins) from a screenplay by Samuel Marolla. Produced by Domiziano Cristopharo and Matteo Cassiano, it stars Roberto Scorza and Flora Giannattasio.
The special effects makeup effects were provided by Athanasius Pernath (Dark Waves; Phantasmagoria; Hyde’s Secret Nightmare).
Haunted by the death of his father and other psychological traumas, Daniel (Roberto Scorza) returns to the home where he was raised. Faced with intense emotional scars, as well as physical — which are realized by the years of self-harm depicted by the cuttings adorning his body — he enters the bathroom to begin a journey of self-exploration, self-mutilation and quite possibly, self-enlightenment.
Prepared only with three white candles and some crude instruments, Daniel attempts to beckon the embrace of the Goddess Ishtar (Flora Giannattasio) to assist him on his self-illumination.
“The overall special effects were pretty impressive. There are a few gore gags that didn’t stand up to the up close scrutiny but in the grand scheme of things, those are small flotsam and jetsam in a very large ocean of gruesome goodness. The only pretty big critique I have for the entire production is the voice of the narrator […] It is very strange and off-putting.” Greg Baty, Cinesploitation
“This entry into the American Guinea Pig mythos is both wholly appropriate and saluted. First time director Poison Rouge is kicking ass and taking names and American Guinea Pig: Sacrifice should now be a model for future gore filmmakers of how things are done. American Guinea Pig: Sacrifice delivers the death and dismemberment.” Chris Mayo, Severed Cinema
“There are a couple scenes where you think you are going to get a stereotypical torture scene, and they take it to the most extreme and disturbing level available. The scenes of violent depravity are also done in up-close and personal fashion. It is this stylistic decision that also makes this some of the most realistic gore I have ever seen. It is clear and crisp, forcing the audience to work hard to find a flaw in the effects work.” Steven Paul, Beneath the Underground
Aspect ratio:
1.85:1
Trivia:
The film’s working title was Sacrifice.
IMDb | Official site | Facebook | Plot synopsis by Chris Mayo
