The Human Centipede 2 (Full Sequence)
Year: 2011
Director: Tom Six
Starring: Lawrence R. Harvey & Ashlynn Yennie
Runtime: 91 mins
BBFC: 18
Published: 30/07/21
Director: Tom Six
Starring: Lawrence R. Harvey & Ashlynn Yennie
Runtime: 91 mins
BBFC: 18
Published: 30/07/21
The Human Centipede: First Sequence gained international notoriety when it released in 2009. The ‘torture porn’ horror flick posed a premise as sickening as the title suggested, wherein a surgeon stitches together three people, mouth to anus, to create a human centipede.
But despite all the notoriety the film got, it was actually relatively tame, being out-gored by the likes of Saw and Hostel, with most of the sicking horror happening in your mind. Having always planned to make a sequel to The Human Centipede, director Tom Six wanted to go all in with the second film and really show audiences just how disgusting a human centipede would really be.
Martin Lomax (Lawrence R. Harvey) is a car park attendant who is obsessed with the first Human Centipede film. Martin is a mentally challenged individual who was sexually abused by his father when he was a child, and psychologically tormented by his mother (Vivien Bridson) who he lives with, as well as sexually abused by his psychiatrist (Bill Hutchens). As a result, Martin has no understanding of basic human decency, empathy, or morality. He begins to attack people who use the car park at which he works and collects them in a nearby warehouse where, once he has collected twelve victims, he attempts to make his own human centipede.
But despite all the notoriety the film got, it was actually relatively tame, being out-gored by the likes of Saw and Hostel, with most of the sicking horror happening in your mind. Having always planned to make a sequel to The Human Centipede, director Tom Six wanted to go all in with the second film and really show audiences just how disgusting a human centipede would really be.
Martin Lomax (Lawrence R. Harvey) is a car park attendant who is obsessed with the first Human Centipede film. Martin is a mentally challenged individual who was sexually abused by his father when he was a child, and psychologically tormented by his mother (Vivien Bridson) who he lives with, as well as sexually abused by his psychiatrist (Bill Hutchens). As a result, Martin has no understanding of basic human decency, empathy, or morality. He begins to attack people who use the car park at which he works and collects them in a nearby warehouse where, once he has collected twelve victims, he attempts to make his own human centipede.
The Human Centipede 2: Full Sequence is one of the most notorious films ever made because of its graphic depictions of excessive gory violence and sexual violence. The film was banned in multiple countries, with censors refusing to classify the film. This was the same for the UK, where seven minutes of footage was cut from the film before it was finally granted a BBFC 18 rating, much against the wishes of the then Vice President Gerard Lemos who felt that the film was in breach of the Obscene Publications Act.
For the purpose of this review, I watched the BBFC approved version of the film, however many years ago I did watch the uncut version of the film, to which I swore I would never watch it again; so far, The Human Centipede 2: Full Sequence remains to be the only film to ever make me want to be physically ill. I did even question whether I wanted to watch the film again for review purposes, but I can say that even though the BBFC approved version doesn’t make the experience any more enjoyable to watch I did at least make it through the whole film without the need for a sick bucket. If you are watching the BBFC approved version then you’re only missing out on the most sickening of shots, including the murder of a new-born baby by crushing its head. I wouldn’t really recommend watching either version of the film, but the uncut version is seriously hardcore and it’s absolutely not to be taken lightly
Much like the original film I do question the need for The Human Centipede 2’s existence. There isn’t really a story, it’s just several scenes of a man attacking random people and then mutilating them for his own pleasure. What little story exists is bad both in terms of its concept and its delivery. The Human Centipede 2 exists to do nothing more but exhibit hatred and contempt for other human beings, with no reason or justification for doing so.
To allow for gorier shots to get by censors, the film is presented in black and white which gives the whole thing an undeniably filthy appearance. It certainly adds to the atmosphere of the experience, but beyond the grime, blood, and semen there’s nothing of value to see.
For the purpose of this review, I watched the BBFC approved version of the film, however many years ago I did watch the uncut version of the film, to which I swore I would never watch it again; so far, The Human Centipede 2: Full Sequence remains to be the only film to ever make me want to be physically ill. I did even question whether I wanted to watch the film again for review purposes, but I can say that even though the BBFC approved version doesn’t make the experience any more enjoyable to watch I did at least make it through the whole film without the need for a sick bucket. If you are watching the BBFC approved version then you’re only missing out on the most sickening of shots, including the murder of a new-born baby by crushing its head. I wouldn’t really recommend watching either version of the film, but the uncut version is seriously hardcore and it’s absolutely not to be taken lightly
Much like the original film I do question the need for The Human Centipede 2’s existence. There isn’t really a story, it’s just several scenes of a man attacking random people and then mutilating them for his own pleasure. What little story exists is bad both in terms of its concept and its delivery. The Human Centipede 2 exists to do nothing more but exhibit hatred and contempt for other human beings, with no reason or justification for doing so.
To allow for gorier shots to get by censors, the film is presented in black and white which gives the whole thing an undeniably filthy appearance. It certainly adds to the atmosphere of the experience, but beyond the grime, blood, and semen there’s nothing of value to see.
There are only two things I can actually praise The Human Centipede 2 for. The first, surprisingly, is a good acting performance. Lawrence R. Harvey does an incredible job of portraying such a vile and horrifying man as Martin. He has no dialogue throughout the entire film and so his performance hinges solely on his ability to convey his intent through physical actions. Harvey is scary in this film, and he is a character you never want to look at for too long. How Harvey manages to portray such a wicked and heinous creature I will never be able to understand, but it is without a doubt a fantastic performance.
The other thing I can praise is Six’s truly unfiltered vision. It’s not one I enjoy or agree should be seen, but to have a director so fully commit to his vision in this way is commendable. It’s just a shame that he couldn’t have chosen a better film to create than this.
The Human Centipede 2: Full Sequence is a film I hope to never watch again (second time in my life I’ve said that now). It does ultimately fulfil its purpose though, and that is to be the most disgusting film director Tom Six could have possibly created. Regardless of the quality of the film, I cannot deny that Six has truly achieved his vision and for that he should be commended.
However, I would never recommend anybody watch this film. Firstly, it’s not a good film, but also there is no enjoyment to be found in it. Despite the first film being bad, there are still things you can enjoy. It’s pulpy and the fun kind of gory. This is just miserable, dirty, and sickening.
The Human Centipede 2 should be watched in the same manner as eating a hot chilli pepper, as a challenge to see how hard you can go, beyond that this film serves no purpose.
The other thing I can praise is Six’s truly unfiltered vision. It’s not one I enjoy or agree should be seen, but to have a director so fully commit to his vision in this way is commendable. It’s just a shame that he couldn’t have chosen a better film to create than this.
The Human Centipede 2: Full Sequence is a film I hope to never watch again (second time in my life I’ve said that now). It does ultimately fulfil its purpose though, and that is to be the most disgusting film director Tom Six could have possibly created. Regardless of the quality of the film, I cannot deny that Six has truly achieved his vision and for that he should be commended.
However, I would never recommend anybody watch this film. Firstly, it’s not a good film, but also there is no enjoyment to be found in it. Despite the first film being bad, there are still things you can enjoy. It’s pulpy and the fun kind of gory. This is just miserable, dirty, and sickening.
The Human Centipede 2 should be watched in the same manner as eating a hot chilli pepper, as a challenge to see how hard you can go, beyond that this film serves no purpose.