Centipede Horror (蜈蚣咒) – Insects Can Act Hong Kong Creepy Crawly Sorcery
Centipede Horror, 1982 exploitation film from Hong Kong revitalized by Error 4444, does not give up the gore easy. A steady chug through an intriguing narrative, with well-placed moments of special effects throughout, pays off when key moments burst out and crawl. When Pak (Michael Miu) goes to Southeast Asia to uncover the cause of the death of his sister, Kay (Lai Fun Chan), he, and his friend, Chee (Tien-Lang Li), are met with a curse that plagues its victims with centipedes that attack them and leave them to die days later. Pak and Chee must figure out who the Fu Manchu-esque Evil Sorcerer (Hussein Abu Hassan) conjuring the powerful centipede curse is while trying to survive the obstacles thrown at them, such as surveilling them with spirits or a slave possessed. The scenes with the centipedes themselves crawl upon the spine with their one-hundred legs, and the proximity with which the actors had to work with the creatures brings much-needed authenticity and palpable shock. The actors probably weren’t paid enough to have poisonous creepy crawlies writhe on them, but the dedication carries the film to the next level.
The 1980s sound effect that’s played whenever the centipedes enter the scene, which adds an eerie element to the critters’ squirming, plus when you toss in transitions incorporate shots of urban scenes utilizing groovy period-specific saxophone, it gives some life (albeit a dated life) to Centipede Horror. Practical effects play a part in the film, but this one also relies on actual centipedes to deliver a visual punch. Though not Oscar worthy, the acting tastes of realism, but I mean why wouldn’t it when you have actual centipedes on the payroll (they were some of the best actors in the film). The scenes where spells are conjured are wild and greatly performative; they feel like a caricature, but that adds to the charm. The audience might ask themselves: “Wait, how does this work?” There’s no logical reason, nor does there need to be! Part of what makes Centipede Horror fun are the moments that throw a curveball and disregard how details piece together. If it was made seriously, there would have been explanations for certain plot points and spell-conjuring scenes would be indicative of something real. The Error 4444 Blu-ray edition of Centipede Horror even provides the option to watch the animal cruelty-free cut or the original, but rest assured there are no butchered animals on screen in either cut, just a chicken with its feathers ripped out waits for you in the uncut version, unlike other films (*cough* Cannibal Holocaust). This is perfect oddity if one is looking for a fun, offering mild grossouts (or for someone wanting to force that one friend who is creeped out by bugs crawling all over them).
Written by Logan, Sexton of the Derelict Dead
Centipede Horror
Error 4444
4 / 5
