FILM REVIEW: ​EUTHANIZER

 
This film is the story of mechanic who has a peculiar side-line in mercy killing the sick pets of those who cannot afford vet’s fees. “The small ones get gas, the big ones get a bullet” he states when asked how he does it. Let’s make no mistake, this is dark, unpleasant and very grim material, and yet no matter how antisocial the lead character is I absolutely felt a sort of kinship with him as I also wouldn’t wish to see an animal suffer. For a modest fee he will end their suffering and bury the animal afterwards, it’s not legal but better that than have the animals in pain.

Where things go wrong is when he is brought a healthy dog to euthanize for no other reason than it’s a nuisance, so rather than killing the dog he adopts it. This causes a major conflict between him and the dog’s former owner and it is this conflict which propels the film forward to a deadly conclusion.

I cannot in all truth say that I enjoyed this film, because it is not set up for enjoyment on the same level a standard horror film would be. It’s more of a film to think about, regarding euthanasia in particular but also the nature of people in general and how they view the animals they are supposed to be caring for. Man’s inhumanity to man (and beast) and all that.
Regarding production values, everything spot on, no complaints here and as far as the acting is concerned there are also no complaints as everything is delivered in a perfectly natural way as if it’s more documentary than a film, which if anything makes it even more unsettling. The main character is far from sympathetic and is beautifully portrayed; it’s a solid performance which is a delicate balancing act between finding him to be a miserable old sod whilst his empathy for animals is touching.

Although there is the primary conflict between the euthaniser and the dog owner, that isn’t the whole of the story, as he develops an unhealthy relationship with a somewhat quirky woman who appears to be more a lost soul than he is, which doesn’t end well for either of them.

It’s a film with no charm, no truly likeable characters, absolutely no sense of redemption and as stated previously not enjoyable. However, it is dramatic and at times horrific and although not a traditional horror by any standard I would state it is certainly worth watching. It seems wholly contradictory to say it’s not enjoyable but to go ahead and recommend it, but I believe that if you do choose to watch it you’ll get exactly what I mean.
It’s available now on home video.