The original I Spit On Your Grave is one of the most horrific films ever made. It is the absolute epitome of terror. It's the tale of a wronged woman and her distinct form of vengeance. It's also my favorite horror/revenge movie of all time. Unexpectedly, the 2010 remake was a near perfect modernized retelling of the classic tale of woman against vile aggressor. This week sees Steven Monroe's release of I Spit On Your Grave 2. It's not so much a sequel but another movie about a highly attractive woman doing her damnedest to mutilate and destroy the men that mean her harm. And justice is served.
Unlike the 2010 film, we are introduced to a new female character and a whole new situation. It's not a pretty one either. The film features rape, beatings, mutilation, torture, kidnapping, electric shock, urination, more rape and almost every other disgusting act you can imagine. To my pleasant surprise, it's one of the better horror entries of the last few years and is definitely up to par with the 2010 remake. Director Steven Monroe knows how to create awful situations and he knows exactly how to turn the screws to make his viewers squirm in their seat. I Spit On Your Grave 2 is more violent, more graphic, and exponentially more twisted than his last film.
What sets this apart from the torture porn industry is the simple fact that there is an actual point. This is a film about the objectification of women and how easily sexuality can slide off the rails into the territory of rape, obsession and physical abuse. Does this film glorify violence? Sure. Does it allow an attractive woman to take back control while she hacks, slashes, and tortures her attackers? Of course. This is I Spit On Your Grave reinvigorated for the modern era with themes that fit perfectly with daily occurrences in our real world. Monroe definitely knows how to walk the fine line between over the top unrealistic brutality and how things might actually happen in the real world. Anything in this movie could and probably has happened at some point in time.If you're a modern horror fan that can handle a mainline of violence without the chance of overdosing, you need to check out I Spit On Your Grave 2. This is how horror should be done. Unlike the endless franchise remakes and boogie men with knives, this film is truly horrific. Isn't that how the genre got its name? How many times a year can you say that? Not many. Don't put it off any longer. You can't call yourself a horror fan if you don't see this movie.
-Review by Chris George