Masters of Horror: Pro-Life
John Carpenter's (Halloween) contribution to the second season of the Masters of Horror series,Pro-Life, tackles one of the most abject horror film topics--abortion--with absurdity, showing how humor can be rooted in disgust. Fifteen-year old Angelique (Caitlin Wachs) Burcell has been raped by the devil, and seeks an abortion at the local abortion clinic in this homage toRosemary's Baby. Unfortunately, her right wing Christian father, Dwayne (Ron Perlman), is not only pro-life, but also has a psychotic belief that she is about to birth God's child which justifies fighting his way into the clinic with guns to prevent Angelique's operation. Two doctors are shocked to learn that they can't exterminate the evil spawn, as they watch it bulge and buck inside Angelique's belly. Graphic birth scenes coupled with the Devil's visit to the clinic to meet his newborn will cause both laughter and repulsion. The baby, with human head and six crab-like legs, crawls around the operating room floor until he meets his demise. Demented as it is funny,Pro-Lifecontains less metaphoric horror than theAlienseries, but has a similar aesthetic. For those who appreciate mutant birth scenes, Carpenter's rendition will satisfy.--Trinie Dalton