Struggle to make it as an actress, Novella spirals into depression and develops a habit of eating her own flesh. The synopsis might remind some of that brutal french film 'In my Skin', both with themes of self-mutilation but they are quite distinctive in terms of style and tone. The opening sequence with Jeffree Star's 'Beauty Killer' playing shows our protagonist getting dressed and ready. Turns out Novella (played brilliantly by Meggie Maddock) has her fair share of failed auditions as an actress while trying to make ends meet. Her friend Candice (Ali Frencis) offers her temporal solace by taking her out for drinks. The film exudes a kind of kitsch vibe throughout, with bright wallpapers from the room of Novella's to the neon lights of sleazy clubs. The film is self-aware of that and plays it in an almost comical fashion, contrasting with what's to come. After an unpleasant encounter with strangers in the club, we've come to learn that Candice herself is a bit of a haywire. With unpaid bills and false hopes, Novella slowly descends into self-loathing and finds an outlet for it in grotesque ways...by eating her flesh. The practical effects are well made and definitely not for the squirmish. Even horror fanatics may find some of the scenes repulsive. It is illogical, unrealistic but I find myself rooting and sympathizing for Novella to get out of her flesh eating cycle. May not be for everyone, but memorable scenes and characters makes this worth watching

Spoiler warning in effect: this review does contain spoilers! Consider yourself warned.If you're looking for a horror movie, THIS AIN'T IT.I've never reviewed a movie before (not for lack of trying) but I just felt I had to review EAT (2014) for the simple fact that I was expecting a horror movie, from the synopsis and poster, and instead I got what should have been an incredible movie, turned into a dismally slow and disgustingly misogynistic one, with either over- or under-acted parts from all of the leads (except for Dr. Simon, who just seemed to be playing a forgettable mid-30s, could-have-been-anyone guy).Don't get me wrong: the special effects were downright incredible. To the point where I had to stop the movie during the first "eating" incident. I literally could not watch her eating her own wrist. It's like that bit in Black Swan (2010) where she imagines herself ripping the skin down her arm - but worse. It was realistic, and disgusting, and kudos to the SFX squad. I wanted to vomit.The direction was amazing. The movie was framed beautifully, from the shot on the casting couch, leaving Novella framed entirely alone in a room with three other guys, to the interior shots of the girls partying the night away in the club. Everything's done wonderfully, shot beautifully. Colour, light, shadow. The final scenes with Novella tied to the bed in the darkness with the makeshift Cone Of Shame on her head and the phone, her only source of light, illuminating her face, was my favourite.But the acting really let it down. The bitchiness between Novella and Tracy might be Hollywood real - I wouldn't know - but it just seemed over-the-top fake. The dialogue was a great big ball of cheese encrusted in Cheese Doritos with cheese sauce and some Parmesan cheese grated on top just for extra damage - and when it's delivered by a cast who seem either amped up on caffeine or too bored to be on set, you're not entirely sure whether to keep watching to see WTF's going to happen, or to turn off and find something else.And the final reveal isn't even worth it, because there's nothing throughout the movie to foreshadow the same-sex longings of Candice towards Novella. It's completely out of left field.All in all? Five stars entirely for amazing direction and special effects. Sorry, acting crew! You just didn't do it for me this time.

I didn't know what to expect from this film. I had seen the title and the synopsis - no reviews.It was surprising from the start. A fresh style rather than the moody kick-off many horror films have. It brought you into the character's rather false and fluffy life, and that of many others trying to make it in Hollywood.The acting is suburb by all of the case who portrayed their respective characters well - believably.My only criticism of the film is that it should have had more of an explanation of why the main character, Novella McClure, develops the way she does. we have a clue that it is because she becomes stressed, but there wasn't much of a back story.I felt for the character as she went through her ups and downs.I don't think this film is a 'classic' but it makes a change from dark and moody horrors.

I really enjoyed this. I'm a fan of body horror already, so this was right up my alley. The acting started off a bit shaky, but everything fell into place about 10 minutes into the film. Meggie Maddock is a beautiful and talented actress who I hope to see great things from in the future. As crazy as I thought her character, Novella was, her friend really took the cake. I also thought I had Dr. Simon figured out, but that threw me for a loop as well. This film had some really intense moments throughout and her self cannibalism scenes were extremely cringe-worthy. Great film over all and the ending was just insane.