Mutilation as Spectacle

The previous chapter focused on a surprisingly elusive image. In spite of the reputation films such as the Saw franchise (James Wan, 2004; Darren Lynn Bousman, 2005, 2006, 2007; David Hackl, 2008; Kevin Greutert, 2009, 2010) and Hostel (Eli Roth, 2005) have of being obsessed with the bloody destruction of human flesh, actually detailing the process of mutilation in graphic visuals is a technique sparingly utilised. This chapter focuses on an image that is far more prolific throughout the sub-genre known as ‘torture porn’. This particular, yet spectacularly varied, image makes up the third stage of the assault: the aftermath.1 Bodies have been stabbed, flayed, burnt and dismembered; what I call the mutilated wound image now comes to the fore.