Rawhead Rex

Another work of Clive Barker demonstrating that the desire of man will eventually overtake them. So, I am glad that I watched some videos analyzing the symbolism behind this film because there were some moments I was like "does this really represent this?..." Honestly, I really wasn't sure because the creature doesn't look at phallic as the comic made him out to be. Apparently, he is supposed to look and represent a penis. That's right. But really the male desire and the vile ways it manifests itself. It makes sense if you look back on the film though.  He is repulsed by menstruation and pregnancy, he is awoken from the dead and converts priests into serving him, and he is ultimately defeated by feminine energy. Now, with the defeat via feminine energy, does this represent that being only women can satisfy the primal urge? That's a little homophobic lol I also picked up on when Howard was originally speaking to the statue of the woman (that defeated Rex). He was like "come on sweetie". It was giving "help a guy out, toots" and that probably repulsed the statue even if her powers could be granted to a man. This movie was such a wild one. Like the scene where he baptized that priest with jizz (it came out like pee but was white?).  I think there was also a lot of symbolism when Rex was buried back into the ground. To me, it was representing the repression of that urge that takes over until it comes out again. There was also the element of men not being able to overcome (and some even worshiping) the monster. Then there was that scene where a boyfriend was being really pushy with his girlfriend and I think they added that scene to just give more context that this movie is about urge. Idk, I don't think I fully understood some parts to be honest, but I think I interpreted the gist of it how it was meant to be taken? Idk as I said this movie was a wild ride with a lot of layers. The church being so intertwined in the movie gave another element of how priests can sometimes give into their desires and abuse children. Who is their god? Desire tends to be the thing worshipped the most. 

Shudder rating: 4 out of 5 skulls

My rating: 3.4 out of 5 skulls. I understand why they didn't make the creature look as phallic as intended but I would have liked the movie more if the monster actually looked like a penis. Maybe they will do a remake of this movie!