Horror Movie Review: The Surgeon (1995)

Notable for its cast and the directing talents of Carl Schenkel, The Surgeon aka Exquisite Tenderness is an interesting watch. One that lacks finesse but tells an compelling enough story that blends thriller and mystery elements with touches of ‘science gone mad’ and traditional slasher horror.

If this sounds like a hodgepodge of ideas, you’re not wrong, but a deft directing hand and a talented cast make it work.

Once such talented actor is Isabel Glasser, who plays Dr. Theresa McCann. She is at loggerheads with Malcolm McDowell’s Dr. Stein, due to his experimental techniques. She has been petitioning the hospital administration, in particular Charles Dance’s Dr. Ed Mittlesbay, to stop him, but with little luck. Even after a baboon goes wild and dies following treatment by Stein.

Following an attempt to intervene, Isabel is the one that ends up suspended, where she ends up teaming up with James Remar’s Dr. Benjamin Hendricks, in more ways than one. However, there’s something more sinister going on and it relates to a spat of killings perpetrated by a mystery person. One who has access to patients, and one that is linked to Isabel’s past.

It’s all ruddy mysterious, but only up to a point. Surprisingly, the film reveals its hand around the half way point and then sets about telling a different side to the story, a slasher side. This, while also abandoning some of the more thrilling aspects and the plot surrounding Dr. Stein’s experiments. It’s done smoothly enough, but it is noticeable and will likely frustrate some, especially as the second half of the film is nowhere as compelling as the first. It does leave you in no doubt though that The Surgeon is a horror film.

It probably needed a bit more energy too as the film is the epitome of a slow burn. Choosing to spend time detailing character motivations, setting up the villain of the piece, and connecting all the dots. It’s welcome as it makes the events more convincing, even if some might find a little boring.

It’s understandable, especially as the film is humourless and some of the acting, dry. No shade on anyone here, it’s a big cast and time is limited, but you can’t help but feel that Charles Dance has more in him, Peter Boyle (as Lieutenant McEllwaine) can do more than just exposition dump, and the ‘love story’ between Hendricks and Glasser is barely formed. Even if it does result in a unique sex scene.

It’s a good-looking film and Carl Schenkel’s direction gets the most out of the sterile environments, where even the darkness feels like a character. He also manages to make The Surgeon feel more violent and bloody then it actually is. There’s plenty to horrify, but you’ll be surprised by how much your imagination fills in the blanks. That’s the sign of a good horror film.

The Surgeon is a forgotten 90s gem that is well worth checking out. There’s nothing game changing here, just a well made and well-acted thriller, mystery, and horror film.