Nothing Left Unstitched in The Human Centipede 3: (Final Sequence)

Writer/Director: Tom Six.

Cast: Dieter Laser, Lawrence R Harvey, Bree Olson, Tom Six and Eric Roberts.

From the bowels of a hot Texas prison comes the third and final instalment of Tom Six's infamous Human Centipede trilogy, The Human Centipede 3: (Final Sequence). If you are a fan of the first two Centipede films, you'll fall mouth-to-ass with this one. If you're not a fan of the first two, or even if you haven't seen them, this film is still digestible. That's the beauty of Six's trilogy—three solid films that work well stitched together, but can also be pulled apart and appreciated on their own. The Final Sequence is not for the squeamish, but it is also not as dark as the first two. Although the film easily tips the gore scale, this one is even more of a black comedy than the previous. If you’re into completely disgusting, nihilistic gore fests that make you bust your guts with laughter, then grab your diapers, fasten your bibs and get ready for the messy, glorious feast that is The Human Centipede 3!

In this grand finale, lunatic prison warden Bill Boss (Dieter Laser, The Human Centipede) and his flunky accountant, Dwight Butler, (Lawrence R Harvey, The Human Centipede 2: Full Sequence) are in danger of losing their jobs, and need to come up with a plan of action. Boss' torture tactics, though fun to watch, get him nowhere—no respect from the inmates nor the Governor (Eric Roberts, in a smaller role than expected) who threatens to terminate all in charge if things don't change. In turn, a resolution is made that might not only help the two keep their jobs, but also deter future violent offenders: “the world's first human prison centipede.” The film suggests that this centipede is a better alternative to the current US prison system, and it may just be.

Dieter Laser plays Bill Boss.

Following suit with The Human Centipede 2, the idea for stitching people together mouth-to-ass comes from the films themselves. This metafictional element is incredibly smart and works well in both the second and third films. A welcome addition to the Final Sequence is Tom Six appearing as himself. Six gives Bill Boss permission to perform the operations on one condition—he gets to see the whole thing through. Amusingly, Six himself can't stomach Boss’ gruesome plan and heads for the hills after witnessing the brutality.

What some fans might find off-putting is the fact that you don't see a human centipede until well over half way through the movie; whereas, the first two films seem to cannonball into the concept early on. Luckily, up until the stitches are sewn, the film carries its weight in comedy and gore, and the audience gets small glimpses at the earlier films as a teaser of sorts, which successfully refreshes the memories of those who watched the previous films and sets the stage for those who haven't.

It's interesting to note the visual contrast from one film to the next in the trilogy. The first film uses cool blue tones to create its chilly, clinical feel, suiting the mad doctor's cold and misanthropic attitude. The second chapter is darker, literally and figuratively, and happens to be filmed entirely in black and white. Toning down the blood guts and shit somehow adds creep factor, and also reflects the protagonist's bleak and dispiriting nature. The third film is vastly different from the previous; its sun-drenched oranges and yellows create a lighter atmosphere and the Texas heat makes the characters eccentric, particularly Bill Boss. While all three films are black comedies, this third and final chapter is more transparently so. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you might even hurl.

As far as acting goes, the Final Sequence is, hands down, the Dieter Laser show. Such a strong, ferocious performance cannot be recalled in recent years. For this horror fan, Laser was unknown until the first Centipede film, and while that was also a stellar performance, his role as Bill Boss in this Final Sequence is off the hook. Whether staggering around drunk, belting out ridiculous obscenities, chewing on dried clitorises to gain “unbelievable strength,” dancing around while inflicting excruciating pain on inmates, or degrading his “office slut,” this character will have you in stitches because he is so damn funny. Particularly entertaining is the way Boss' character makes wisecracks about the Centipede films; he even refers to Six as a “poop infatuated toddler.”

It takes a certain type of filmgoer to appreciate the Centipede trilogy. Although these films aren't stereotypical horror films, fans of the genre tend to flock to them because they appeal to that side that despises the norm and craves something different. In the words of Tom Six himself, “The Human Centipede trilogy oozes misanthropy, nihilism and non-conformism. All characteristics of my decadent worldview.” It's fun getting lost inside Six's world, no matter how dark and sadistic. The Centipede films are playful and humorous, and not only encourage us to laugh at the ridiculous state of the world, but also ourselves.

Tom Six's demented trilogy deserves a 10/10, but The Human Centipede 3: (The Final Sequence) earns a 9.

-by Kenna Rae-

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Recommended release: The Human Centipede II Through VOD at Amazon


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