FLESH OF THE UNFORGIVEN:
A disorienting trek into a warped world
Written by Steph Cannon 12.10.2025
As a critic, it's understood that a submission coming from the independent movie world shouldn't be held to the same standards as one that has millions of dollars at its disposal. Productions that are working with a micro-budget can only do so much, which can be equal parts impressive and appealing.
The same can be said for a creator’s choice of vision and direction. Not everyone is going to understand what a filmmaker is trying to convey - and sometimes that’s okay, if the story has other entertainment value to offer the viewer.
Flesh of the Unforgiven tows a difficult line in understanding what the cast and crew had to work with, while also having an open mind to the tale they are attempting to tell.
Jack Russo (played by writer/director Joe Hollow) and his wife, Sienna (Debbie Rochon) are at a crossroads in their marriage and their individual lives. Jack is a writer plagued by a crippling case of a creative block, with mounting pressure from his publisher to produce a completed treatment within days. To make matters worse, his relationship with his wife is collapsing from the weight of her recent infidelity. In an attempt to re-ignite both their marriage and Joe’s ability to write, the couple retreat to a secluded cabin.
Jack isn’t quite ready to forgive Sienna, despite her concerted efforts to win his trust back. This understandably plays a large role in his inability to write, which only further drives a wedge between them. Instead of committing himself to the tight deadline set before him, he retreats to the local bar to drown his sorrows. When he meets Vivienne (August Kyss), a woman going through her own struggles, their lives begin to intertwine in bizarre, twisted ways.
That’s when we meet the masked, sadistic figure known only as The Death Dealer (also played by Hollow). Vivienne has her own strange dealings with this mysterious…creature? Man? It’s hard to tell, as his actions are clearly demonic in nature, and we never see his face. He also inexplicably shows up in Sienna’s dreams, which thrusts the film into two parallel storylines that at times intermingle, while at others only further muddies the clarity as to what is going on.
When a VHS tape appears at the Russo’s cabin, matters take a really preposterous turn, shifting the story into a fever dream of lewd, erratic sequences. For these reasons, Flesh of the Unforgiven is not an easy film to watch, and will likely turn the heads, and stomachs, of some viewers.
This isn’t to say that the movie is unwatchable the entire time. There are obvious and purposeful nods to Hellraiser when it comes to The Death Dealer, but not so overt that it feels like a rip-off. It’s a clear homage that plays well to that area of horror, and Hollow does a convincing job of pulling off the part, especially in contrast to this other role as Jack.
On that note, credit must be given to Hollow for the many creative hats he wears both behind and in front of the camera. It’s not an easy feat to take on so many responsibilities, especially when working with a small budget and time constraints.
While this movie did have the potential to be a solid horror story, it gets in its own way by trying too hard to be artistic and avante-garde, which in turn takes the storyline down a confusing, warped road. This movie may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but the director could be appealing with his storytelling with a little more focus and clarity during future releases.
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