The Autopsy of Jane Doe

In a genre where too many films rely on jump scares, 'The Autopsy of Jane Doe' opts for slow-burn tension instead. However, this approach isn't without its missteps and pacing problems.

Unveiling Jane Doe's Secrets

The film follows Tommy and Austin Tilden, a father-son team of coroners who are presented with a mysterious and unidentified corpse, dubbed Jane Doe. As they proceed with the autopsy in their isolated morgue, the discovery of strange clues leads them down a rabbit hole of supernatural horror. With each layer they peel back, the film intertwines the themes of family and mortality, while introducing bizarre elements that hint at Jane's terrifying past. The confined setting and the storm brewing outside adds to the tension, but the film's runtime leaves some threads unresolved and characters underdeveloped.

Performances in the Morgue

Brian Cox, as the seasoned coroner Tommy, delivers a solid performance that embodies wisdom and experience, while Emile Hirsch plays Austin, his more inexperienced son. Their dynamic feels authentic, capturing the tension of a father-son relationship with an underlying sense of dread. However, both characters could have been fleshed out more deeply. Ophelia Lovibond as Emma is somewhat underutilized, bringing little to the narrative, while Jane Doe herself, played by Olwen Catherine Kelly, is effectively eerie but remains a blank slate due to the nature of her role. This leaves the emotional stakes feeling a bit hollow.

Atmosphere Over Action

André Øvredal directs with a clear focus on atmosphere, using dim lighting and tight framing to create a claustrophobic environment. The morgue setting becomes a character in itself, enhancing the film's eerie tone. However, despite some impressive visual choices, the pacing occasionally suffers from prolonged scenes that might test viewers' patience. While the cinematography captures the unsettling nature of the autopsy process, it sometimes leans too heavily on silence and tension, leading to moments that drag and lose the viewer's engagement.

Tension with a Slow Burn

Watching 'The Autopsy of Jane Doe' feels like being trapped in a chilling escape room; it has its gripping moments but can also lead to frustration when the pacing drags. The slow reveal of Jane's secrets builds tension, but the film's brevity leaves certain revelations feeling rushed or underexplored. As events escalate into the supernatural, the emotional connection to the characters diminishes, making it harder to feel invested in their fates. There are some genuinely eerie moments, but a few dull stretches may cause some viewers to check their watches.