"Cannibal Fog" mixes dark satirical attitude into an otherwise disturbing subculture of human desire. The story takes from both real event inspired situations, and pure erotica-fantasy. At times "Cannibal Fog" becomes a bit confusing as the two individual stories play out in a series of scenes that transition in choppy, abrupt situations during their linear and simultaneous journeys. The scene switching does move smoothly which at first seems annoying. This doesn't change much as the movie moves on but it doesn't take too long to understand that the two main characters' story's are playing out side-by-side.
The acting isn't stellar but the surreal, and very experimental theatrical nature of "Cannibal Fog" allows for sub-par acting. Most of the time this film presents as if we are the voyeur, peeping into a taboo world where the overly-sexualized persona opens up doors of food fetish and cannibal culinary prowess. Overall the film is a extreme expressionist piece that devours lust and greed in western society. There are a few shining spots in "Cannibal Fog" with the more somber, and darker introduction of Kim Sonderholm's character, Daniel Peterson. That, and the more humorous, disturbing tongue-in- cheek experience of sitophilia that plays out in a memorable dinner scene stand out in the movie.
The special effects in "Cannibal Fog" are practical ones that work on screen, create enough horror element to entertain a fan of the macabre, and at times are the only truly interesting aspects of the story. The surreal, dreamlike style of story telling and bizarre soundtrack help to create an atmosphere that is just as confusing, as it is effective in creating and amplifying the more emotional components of "Cannibal Fog". In the end though, the story doesn't create any real thrills, or chills, instead playing at a near monotone level of flat, steady-as-she-goes-neutrality. "Cannibal Fog" almost ends with the same amount of enthusiasm and energy as it begins.
Overall this isn't going to be a film for most horror fans, "Cannibal Fog" speaks to an audience as limited as the subculture portrayed within its dark, and disturbing subject matter. It is more on an art-house mix of exploitation/experimental character study. The ability of Wolcher to explore the darker side of human eroticism, and morbidity with such open candor shows real talent and passion for film making and story telling. Sometimes lifting the story up to a more intriguing piece of theatre, but most often than not the story gets crowded out by the constant inconsistency of the story's tone. Watch this one with an open mind, and a desire to indulge in something bizarre.
