Kissed (1996)

Kissed Poster

Over the years, a child's romantic ideals about death blossom into necrophilia, the study of embalming and the most profound relationship of her life.

Film Overview
"Kissed" is a 1996 Canadian film, directed by Lynne Stopkewich, based upon a narrative by Barbara Gowdy and influenced by the life of serial killer Karen Greenlee. The film checks out dark, erotic themes of necrophilia and death, linking these motifs with a tale of individual growth and self-discovery. The movie's main character, Sandra Larson (depicted by Molly Parker), finds herself brought in to death from a young age, a fascination that develops into a sexual fixation with the dead as she matures, pushing boundaries of societal standards and specific desires.

Sandra's Obsession with Death
As a kid, Sandra was fascinated by the concept of death, often staging mock funeral services for dead animals. Her fascination continues into their adult years, illustrated through her research studies in mortuary science at a university. Sandra's unabashed romantic and sexual tourist attraction towards remains shocks audiences, while likewise making them privy to a seldom-understood necrophilic subculture. Regardless of understanding the socially inappropriate nature of her fascination, Sandra thinks that she can feel and understand the essence of life more through her intimate encounters with death.

Sandra's Job and Relationships
To fuel her extreme fascination, Sandra takes up work at Wallis Funeral Home. Here, she gets the freedom to act upon her desires without anyone's knowledge, leading her to engage voluntarily in sexual show the bodies. On the other hand, Sandra begins dating Matt (Peter Outerbridge), a rather innocent character who cherishes a deep affection for her. He quickly finds her necrophilic tendencies but decides to remain, hoping he can alter her, as he continually has a hard time to comprehend Sandra's unusual sexual infatuation.

The Climax
Matt's desperate attempts to satisfy Sandra and develop a sense of normalcy in their relationship reach a boiling point, leading him to propose an unsafe stunt. Unable to bear his beloved's growing emotional distance and longing to suit her world, Matt recommends that she might experience him in 'her way' in theory, by allowing her to make love with him at the cusp of his death. Although relatively skeptical initially, Sandra yields. The stunt goes wrong, and Matt dies, casting a pall of sadness and regret over Sandra, consequently marking a critical point in her life.

Ending and Personal Growth
The film concludes on a poignant note, as Sandra is left coming to grips with Matt's death, regretting her failure to keep her desires in check. Regardless of the traumatic occasion, she moves forward and tries to understand her attraction to corpses better. In a closing monologue, Sandra verifies her continuing predilection towards mortal remains but guarantees to maintain a considerate range, implying the start of an ethical evolution for her character.

Conclusion
"Kissed" is a chilling exploration of necrophilia, delving deep into a tabu topic. It portrays an intricate character research study of Sandra, who's caught in between her sexually deviant desires and contrasting social standards. Its graphic representation of a questionable style coupled with outstanding performances, significantly by Molly Parker, provides an engaging, albeit disturbing narrative that leaves audiences contemplating long after the credits roll.

Top Cast

  • Molly Parker (small)
    Molly Parker
    Sandra Larson
  • Peter Outerbridge (small)
    Peter Outerbridge
    Matt
  • Jay Brazeau (small)
    Jay Brazeau
    Mr. Wallis
  • Natasha Morley
    Young Sandra
  • Jessie Winter Mudie
    Carol
  • James Timmons
    Jan
  • Joe Maffei (small)
    Joe Maffei
    Biology Teacher
  • Robert Thurston (small)
    Robert Thurston
    Detective
  • Annabel Kershaw (small)
    Annabel Kershaw
    Sandra's Mother
  • Tim Dixon (small)
    Tim Dixon
    Sandra's Father
  • Amber Warnat
    Lisa Brown