Movie Info
Movie Name: Teeth
Studio: Roadside Attractions
Genre(s): Horror/Comedy
Release Date(s): January 19, 2007
MPAA Rating: R
There’s something down there…and it isn’t happy
Dawn O’Keefe (Jess Weixler) discovers at an early age that something feels different about her. Her stepbrother Brad (John Hensley) claims that she bit his fingertip off when he touched her inappropriately as a child. Dawn believes in saving herself for marriage and has taken a vow of chastity till that time. When Dawn meets Tobey (Hale Appleman), things begin to change for Dawn, and she questions her vow. An encounter at a local swimming hole leaves Dawn in shock and Tobey missing. Dawn realizes it is her fault and that is something truly different about her…and finds it ties to the myth of vagina dentata.
It is always uncomfortable at the doctor’s office
Written and directed by Mitchell Lichtenstein, Teeth is a cautionary black-comedy horror tale which made the festival tour and was well received by audiences due to its unusual and rather taboo plot. Jess Weixler was also praised for her performance in the lead role.
The idea behind Teeth is based on the true legend of vagina dentate…aka the toothed vagina. In many stories across different cultures the idea of a female with teeth can catch and maim a man. The story is mainly told as a warning to men (who in turn must conquer the woman), but here the teeth are more a means of protection for Dawn. Throughout the film, the teeth first protect her and then empower her.
Hey bro…hope you aren’t attached to that.
The movie is definitely unique and very stylistically shot. It is an art house film and it often feels that way in its strange balance of horror and comedy. The horror however is real and there are a lot of tense moments leading up to the teeth’s bite.
When the teeth do bite, Teeth pulls no punches. The movie just doesn’t imply what happens, it shows what happens. I kind of expected a bit more restraint, but more than once, you see Dawn’s teeth’s dirty work…then see what they spit up. If you’ve seen the film, watch out for that nasty dog.
Teeth definitely is one of the strangest horror films you’ll ever see. It is worth seeking out. It is a bit unbalanced at point and there seem to be a lot of plot holes that are glazed over or just not referenced (doesn’t anyone question Tobey’s girlfriend when he first goes missing then is discovered castrated?) It is an original movie and I like that someone managed to craft a rather interesting story around the subject.
