Barbara Crampton and Heather Graham star as best friends in a title inspired by both Chithlu lore and a short film called “The Thing on The Doorstep.” Suitable Flesh reminds me of a few different titles I have seen. One’s that tread down the path of a spiritual transfer, shapeshifting, and body-snatching. Movies like “Lifechanger,” “Spring” or even “The Faculty” all center their narrative on a malicious entity or curse that can take over a body and use it as armor for its new life.

The film presents in a nonlinear fashion and Suitable Flesh opens with Elizabeth committed to a psych ward. Heightened and desperate, she tries to explain to her best friend Dr. Danielle Upton (Barbara Crampton) how it is she is in this mess. Her messy and chaotic appearance is quickly shot away when the film, directed by Joe Lynch (Mayhem) travels back in time.

In Suitable Flesh, we are introduced to Psychiatrist Elizabeth Derby, a renowned expert in her field. Cool, calm, and collected, she sits in a routine therapy session and finds herself drawn into a perplexing case that challenges both her professional expertise and her personal beliefs. A young patient, Asa, appears begging for help and quickly exhibits signs of multiple personality disorder.

Suitable Flesh Movie

Determined to unravel whatever is happening to Asa, Elizabeth spends more time with him. She immediately becomes increasingly obsessed and unable to tear herself away from both wanting to help and battling increasingly troubling thoughts. The lines between patient and doctor blur, and Elizabeth’s obsession with helping Asa intensifies.

As Elizabeth (played by Heather Graham) delves deeper into Asa’s psyche, she uncovers a connection to the occult world. One that heralds a dark and terrifying realm filled with ancient rituals and malevolent forces. Elizabeth finds herself fighting to escape a horrific fate that threatens not only her sanity but her very existence.

Suitable Flesh is a memorable and fun psychological horror and thriller. A comedic underbelly belies the atmospheric darkness that covers the entire production in a fast-paced sheen. Demons are confronted, and the boundaries of the human mind are pushed to their limits. There is plenty of on-screen gore, on-screen sex, a beheading, rituals, and a nifty blurred camera trick that sells each body transfer between the entity and its new home.

Heather Graham and Barbara Crampton

Performances are exceptional all round. How can you go wrong with on-screen superstars like Barabra Crampton and Heather Graham? The addition of Judah Lewis, though not as strong was still suitably enjoyable to watch. Each of the key cast has to portray different versions of themselves and all manage these roles with considerable believability.

The final act of “Suitable Flesh” descends into the chaos that is expected of a movie like this. Overall, the Dennis Paoli-inspired story is well worth your time. Maybe even a rewatch if it grips you as much as it did me.

Suitable Flesh releases to the internet on October 27th, 2023. Watch it as soon as possible.

Suitable Flesh is rated

4.5 Barbara Crampton is the ultimate female horror icon’s out of 5

Mother of Movies score

The Thing on The Doorstep Recap

In Lovecraft’s only story to prominently feature a female character, Daniel Upton stands charged with the brutal murder of his best friend, the sensitive poet Edward Derby. Was the crime an act of greed, jealousy, or madness? Or did Edward’s wife, the mysterious Asenath Waite, put to use her rumored occult powers? Was it a crime carried out by a ruthless fiend, or was the killer just another victim of a supreme evil that lurks unseen among us?

DIRECTOR: Joe Lynch
WRITER: Dennis Paoli & H.P. Lovecraft.
PRODUCERS: Barbara Crampton, Bob Portal, Inderpal Singh, Joe Wicker
CAST: Heather Graham, Judah Lewis, Bruce Davidson, Johnathan Schaech, and Barbara Crampton

“He can still get me. If he does it again, it’s forever.”
Quote from the movie Suitable Flesh 2023