Excision

Pauline, a disturbed and highly imaginative high school student, is obsessed with the intricacies of the human body and dreams of becoming a surgeon. Her aspirations clash with her family's expectations and her own psychological turmoil. As her fantasies become more vivid and disturbing, Pauline's grip on reality begins to slip, leading to increasingly bizarre and macabre events.

Excision garnered a mixed to positive reception, with many critics praising its unique and darkly comedic tone, as well as AnnaLynne McCord's fearless performance. However, some found its extreme subject matter and surreal elements to be off-putting or gratuitous.

• Praised for its original, albeit disturbing, premise and strong lead performance.

• Noted for its dark humor and surreal visual style.

• Criticized by some for being overly shocking or gratuitous in its depiction of gore and psychological distress.

Google audience: Audience reviews generally appreciated the film's boldness and distinctive style, with many highlighting AnnaLynne McCord's commitment to the role. Some viewers found the content unsettling and a bit too extreme for their taste.

Won Best Feature at the Fantasia Film Festival and the Audience Award at the South by Southwest Film Festival (SXSW).

The film was inspired by director Richard Bates Jr.'s own childhood anxieties and fascination with medical imagery, stemming from his mother being a nurse.