10 Hidden Gem Body Horror Movies

6. Birth/Rebirth

Pauline Excision bloody bed
IFC Films

Laura Moss' contemporary Frankenstein earned a pittance at the box office, despite being one of the most imaginative and messed up stories inspired by Mary Shelley's cautionary tale.

When a nurse called Celie (played by Scrubs' Judy Reyes) learns her daughter, Lila (AJ Lister), has died in hospital, she follows the child's doctor, Rose Casper (Marin Ireland), certain she's hiding something. 

After storming into Rose's apartment, Celie sees Lila has been reanimated, but barely clinging to life. When Rose informs Celie she can rejuvenate Lila by harvesting the bodies of pregnant women, the desperate mother questions how far she'll go to keep her child alive.

Though the premise and graphic scenes are sick and twisted, it's the conviction of the two leads that makes Birth/Rebirth work so well. Marin Ireland plays Rose like she wants to better the world, so her motivation is understandable despite her questionable methods. Judy Reyes knocks it out of the park, playing a mother who will stop at nothing to do what's right for her daughter.

Birth/Rebirth may have gone under the radar, but it has all the signs of a future cult-classic.

Contributor

James Egan has been with Whatculture for five years and prominently works on Horror, Film, and Video Games. He's written over 80 books including 1000 Facts about Horror Movies Vol. 1-3 1000 Facts about The Greatest Films Ever Made Vol. 1-3 1000 Facts about Video Games Vol. 1-3 1000 Facts About James Bond 1000 Facts About TV Shows