The Human Centipede marks the point at which torture porn genre imploded on itself - ironically, it also stands as one of the defining movies of the sub-genre, and certainly one one its most famous. Loaded with a premise that defies logical explanation (purposely provocative), The Human Centipede - with its intriguing subtitle "First Sequence," implying sequels - also had audiences feeling like the sub-genre had gone too far. Certainly, though, The Human Centipede is one of the most-talked about horror movies of the past decade, its surgery-based plotline loaded enough to ensure that movie-goers were asking one another: "Jesus, have you seen The Human Centipede? Do you know what its about?" Still, Tom Six's movie isn't a very good one, but it did play a pivotal part in the shaping of the horror genre in the years to come. After all, it went too far.
Sam Hill is an ardent cinephile and has been writing about film professionally since 2008. He harbours a particular fondness for western and sci-fi movies.
