‘Cursed Films II’ Recap: ‘Cannibal Holocaust’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the season two finale of ‘Cursed Films’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Normally when we settle in to watch a documentary series that has established what it wants to express to its audience… there is comfort and preparedness in our minds. In that, we know exactly what we are getting into, and we are ready to have that message reinforced through careful and unbiased storytelling… so we can come away from any particular chapter with new lessons and perspective in our hearts. But every once in a while, you run into a documentary series that figures out a way to shake things up and teach us something new and surprising when it comes to its overall themes and one such documentary series that has managed to accomplish that… is Cursed Films II on Shudder.

Because for weeks now, we have come to realize that this series is all about showing us how a series of bummers or odd coincidences or playing with concepts that immerse a story in darkness… can lead to the belief that a film is cursed in nature and that is likely what all of us thought we’d be getting when it comes to the season two finale of this show. Since Cannibal Holocaust is a controversial film that absolutely appeared to be mired in bad moments and poor coincidence, so how could it not be perceived as cursed by audiences? But instead of offering up that particular line of thinking, this finale instead found a way to pose a different type of examination regarding what makes a film appear to be cursed.

In that, it is completely possible, for the making of the film and the actions of the cast and crew… to create their own curse and punish themselves in the process. For we came to learn over the course of the hour that every single decision made by the film’s director and the active choices to participate in his vision by the cast… cursed this film from the get-go and led to self-made suffering and strife through and through. The kind that has lasted well beyond filming, and in essence, cursed the minds and souls of some of the cast. For instance, a lot of the more controversial physical decisions for some of the cast, such as taking part in the uncomfortable finale for the only woman in the story, played by Francesca Ciardi, left Francesca full of regret.

Since she came to realize that she sacrificed a moral stance in the name of art and that has certainly haunted her since the film’s release and she’s not the only one filled with regret over choices in this film. Because there are several other cast members, that took part in scenes that remain in infamy. For this movie is indeed notorious for its depiction of killing animals, and it is infamous in that regard because animals died on location and on screen in a savage and cruel manner. And crossing that line as a cast member and seeing how those uncomfortable acts live on by way of this film’s cult status, has left those cast members with shame and hurt in their hearts and those moments, combined with the wanton and ultra-graphic violence present within the film… hammer home the point of this particular tale.

In that, it is indeed entirely possible to curse oneself when making a movie. For poor and ugly choices and indulgences, resonate within one’s conscience and soul and judging from the scowls and bitterness that poured out of the cast in this finale,, those moments will stay with them always… and that is quite the fascinating way to bring this season to a close. Since we did not expect such a twist to come into play. But in many ways, this works and properly bookends the season, since it speaks to how… it is us that creates perception and reality in our minds and until we understand that… myths surrounding films will persist and well, now that we’ve reached the end of this fascinating journey, all we can do is hope for a Cursed Films III. Because there are so many dark stories that we need to revisit and ponder deeper upon and hopefully Shudder grants this series a third season, so we can enjoy more of Jay Cheel’s insight and objectivity regarding cinema’s most controversial films.

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