Feminism was repeatedly associated with cannibalism in the course of horror film history. One of the most worth seeing examples is the grandiose “RAW”, in which the “Titane” director Julia Ducournau tells of the slowly awakening meat lust for the prospective veterinary staff Justine, whose only by the women in her family in her family serves as a metaphor for rejection against patriarchal structures. In contrast to Justine, who can hardly control her desire, however, the protagonist of “Cannibal Mukbang” deliberately proceeds:
The extremely attractive woman with a preference for glitter make-up is hunting for evil men at night to kill and eat her. Contrary to what the trailer suggests, director Aimee Kugge does not implement her shrill premise as a crunchy splatter fun, but as a bloody Romcom with Mumblecore bonds. The focus is constantly on the two excellently played, credible main characters, the chemistry of which brings the canvas to a crackle – and who can easily make the weaknesses of the film forget.
Ash (April Consalo) can cook really well – even if the human skull would have a negative impact on the appetite for many.
One evening when buying snacks, the lonely, shy nerd mark (Nate Wise) meets the self -confident, lively Ash (April Consalo). However, the sparks only really start to spray after Ash unintentionally succeeds him before the shop and the two get to know each other better. Mark works in the customer service of a delivery service and ASH is Youtuber in the field of Mukbanging (i.e. those online trend triggered in 2009, in which people often film particularly large portions during enjoyable food).
And as chance it wants, Mark watches her videos (on which only half of her face can be seen). The young man is blown away by the red-haired woman, from whom the aura of a Disney princess seems to go out in some moments. Ash in turn feels attracted to Mark as well, but has a dark secret. The meat she eats in her Mukbang videos does not come from animals, but from rapists, sadists and other scum that she chases and kills at night….
Boy meets girl (with dark secret)
One of the most beautiful sections begins early: Mark visits Ash in her apartment and joins her in a tent constructed in sheet sheet, in which she conjures up a cozy children's room atmosphere with a colorful chain of lights and a lamp with rotating color patterns. The two are slowly getting closer, which leads to an intensive sequence of kisses. But there is nothing more, because Mark Zaudert, he prefers to start things slowly. Ash is understandable, whereupon the film merges into a small assembly in which the two can be seen in smaller silly. Just like children in a bed sheet tent.
These almost a little fairytale -like minutes are staged so sensitively and played with such a dedication that one briefly forgets that the film actually turns over a cannibal, the men slaughtered – which is also illustrated particularly clearly a short time later. It is already a wild, sometimes a little bumpy mix that Aimee Kuges rises in its directorial debut, even if the barren budget is not always offset with a candy -colored aesthetics.
Mark (Nate Wise) is simply completely crush – and does things that he would never have done without butterflies in his stomach.
As seriously the film Mark takes, as a credible figure made of flesh and blood, torn between his love for Amy and the associated moral problems, portrays, according to Cartoon-like his brother Maverick (Clay von Carlowitz) works. As an excessive Patrick-Batemann blend, he comes from what the connection between him and the Mark looks like a mere claim and unfortunately quickly suggests the conflict in the end.
The feminist agenda from Kugge also looks somewhat impossible: On the one hand, the female-empowerment motif is in the center of the action, on the other hand, Ash-as fascinating it is-is more one-sided than Mark as if it were more the engine for its history. Actually, it is not really told by a woman who combats patriarchal structures, but rather the history of the (toxic) relationship of a young man who gets to the wrong (?) Woman.
Conclusion: The low-budget production “Cannibal Mukbang” certainly has weaknesses, the biggest is the not entirely well thought out script. On the other hand, the grotesque microbudget romance tears you thanks to great leading actors, a largely stylish staging and a great, diverse soundtrack despite everything. And when it comes to credits, you are sure that you want to watch the upcoming films by director Aimee Kugge with a similar fervor with which Ash sails down in her YouTube videos.