Excision

Excision, released in 2012, is a visceral horror film infused with dark psychological outpouring. This movie, targeting the niche of gore-horror fanatics, serves with an offbeat embodiment of twisted fantasies and dreamlike sequences. The director Richard Bates Jr. in his directorial debut doesn't hold back on steering the audience through a whirlwind of drastic events that spine-chillingly paves the pathway for the narrative.

The film stars AnnaLynne McCord in her transformative role as the lead character, Pauline, a socially awkward and disturbed high school student. Incorporating the elements of macabre in her character, McCord portrays Pauline as an outcast with psychologically horrifying dreams that are grotesquely outlandish. The movie navigates expertly through the strange obsessions and peculiarities of Pauline, resulting in an unsettling character study which is as captivating as it is offbeat.

The film carries a supporting cast of highly skilled actors. Roger Bart plays the role of Pauline's father, Bob. His portrayal of a demure man, frustrated by his inability to control or understand his troubled daughter is fascinating. Ariel Winter, on the other hand, portrays the role of Pauline's younger sister, Grace, who is considerably more accepted and loved in the family. Her portrayal of a sister worried about her elder sister's strange behaviors adds another layer of complexity to the narrative.

Introduced initially as an alienated teenager, Pauline progressively becomes more obsessed with her surreal, bloody fantasies. These gruesome dreams skillfully intertwine the thematic DNA of the movie with threads of horror and hedonistic exploration. Pauline's peculiar fascination with human anatomy and becoming a surgeon, despite her lack of academic proficiency, complicates her character sketch. It renders the movie with an intense unhinged fascination with the human body and the horrors hidden within.

The unique selling point of Excision lies heavily on its visual spectacles, which are both shockingly horrific and artistically poetic. The film’s gory fantasies are composed with a superior level of extravagance and theatricality. The graphic imagery filled with blood and gore are designed with an artistic brilliance that enhances the creepiness even further, pacing ahead from typical horror movies.

Given Pauline's unusual nature, her interactions with the people around her - her parents, her high school peers, and her mentally unstable friends - forms a crucial part of the narrative. The movie's striking manifestation of the Marion Crane shower scene from "Psycho" in one of Pauline's fantasies is testament enough of the director's unique approach to present horror.

Excision also explores the tumultuous relationship between Pauline and her mother, played by Traci Lords. Her character, despite being a stern disciplinarian, is constantly failing to impose the societal norms on Pauline. This representation of a strained mother-daughter relationship enhances the psychological perspective of the movie.

Additionally, the film makes an impactful commentary about being an outcast in society and the struggles of non-conformity. It portrays the constant battle of a troubled mind struggling with deeply ingrained societal norms. The movie oscillates between Pauline's rebellious actions in real life and her violent dreams, creating a mounting tension that engulfs viewers throughout the narrative.

Excision, in stark contrast to mainstream horror flicks, is an art-house shocker with its distinctive take on the genre. The movie's bleak predictability of Pauline's life contrasting with her unpredictable dreams makes this film an engaging and offbeat experience, one that blends the genres of horror, thriller and psychological drama.

Though not for the faint-hearted, Excision is a must-watch for thrill-seekers and horror enthusiasts who crave narratives that push the boundaries of cinematic horror. This amalgamation of intense psychological character sketch, high-powered performances, and meticulous direction make the film a unique spectacle, demonstrating Richard Bates Jr.’s deft handling of the material. Excision blends conventional high school drama, anarchy, and blood-soaked fantasy to deliver a compellingly unsettling cinematic experience.