‘Appendage’ Review – Your Low Self-Esteem And Insecurities Will Be The Death Of You

It’s often said that our negative thoughts and emotions are our biggest enemies. The pressures we place on ourselves and the stress we hold in our bodies because of said pressures can have adverse effects that last for the rest of our lives. In the new Hulu body horror film Appendage, an aspiring young fashion designer sees her self-doubt, insecurities, and depression manifest as a wicked double that desires to kill and replace her.

Hannah (Hadley Robinson) is an aspiring young fashion designer with an overbearing boss who not only fails to see her talent but berates and humiliates her. Lucky for Hannah, she has a supportive boyfriend (Brandon Mychal Smith) and a great best friend and co-worker (Kausar Mohammed). Although the two provide her with ample positive affirmations and love, her insecurities convince her that the two are having an affair behind her back.

This storm of negativity at first materializes as a bloody scar around her birthmark before manifesting as a gruesome parasitic twin that preys on her weakness. As luck would have it, she finds a support group of similarly afflicted individuals and learns that the creature is an appendage. It’s a manifestation of all the negativity she keeps inside of her. Although the group promises that living with the creature is possible, Hannah quickly learns that the beast isn’t going down without a fight.

The film is a thrilling and suspenseful body horror film that touches on serious topics such as mental health, the importance of self-worth, and the adverse impact of the horrible things we tell ourselves that ultimately hold us back. Robinson brings a vulnerability to the role of Hannah, and you can’t help but want to wrap her up in a safety blanket from the moment you meet her. We see her trying her best to be happy and well-adjusted when the film starts, but various obstacles are thrown her way.  The film wisely includes a traumatic backstory involving Hannah’s teenage years and how her overbearing parents (Deborah Rennard and Pat Dortch) treat her. It adds depth and a layer to a character who could have been one-note otherwise.

Emily Hampshire, as Claudia, a friend Hannah makes at the support group, expertly flits between friendly and menacing. She is charming, luring you in with witty one-liners and self-deprecating humor. As viewers quickly find out, there is more to Claudia than meets the eye. Smith and Mohammed do excellent jobs in their roles as well. Honestly, there isn’t much to work with, but they still manage to shine as two people who are trying to support a loved one having what they believe is a mental health crisis. Smith brings charm and sardonic humor to any role that he’s in, and it’s always nice to see that he has acquired another part.

There is a twist that will be predictable to some but will shock others. It’s a wise twist that amps up the danger and suspense as it pertains to the appendages and their overall plans for their original hosts and humanity. It doesn’t appear to setting up a sequel hook, but watching another film in this universe in which the appendages have become a more significant threat would be interesting.

The ending feels a little rushed, and viewers will likely find themselves unsatisfied with how some subplots are wrapped up. The one with Hannah’s parents doesn’t seem fully resolved by the time the credits roll, and although it doesn’t ruin the film, it’s a noticeable flaw.

Appendage is a suspenseful and creepy body horror film with much to say about the negative impact of doubt, lack of self-esteem, and insecurities on one’s psyche and body. The film’s excellent premise manages to live up to its potential, which is an extraordinary feat in and of itself.

Appendage is currently available to stream on Hulu.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqowBGrKzuU]