Brett Leonard’s 2005 psychological thriller “Feed”, newly released on Blu-ray by Unearthed Films, remains a polarizing exploration of obsession and bodily extremes. The film follows Australian cybercrime investigator Phillip Jackson (Patrick Thompson) as he tracks Michael Carter (Alex O’Loughlin), a webmaster accused of orchestrating the grotesque force-feeding of women under the guise of “feederism” — a fetish centered on weight gain. While flawed in its pacing and narrative cohesion, the film’s unflinching portrayal of taboo subject matter makes it a morbidly fascinating artifact of mid-2000s transgressive cinema.
Leonard, best known for “The Lawnmower Man”, leans heavily into the shock factor here, juxtaposing police procedural tropes with stomach-churning body horror. The practical effects, including hyper-realistic fat suits and clinical feeding apparatuses, amplify the film’s visceral impact. O’Loughlin and Thompson deliver committed performances, with the former embodying manipulative charisma and the latter conveying a detective’s moral unraveling. However, the script’s uneven pacing and rushed third act undercut the tension, leaving some character motivations feeling underexplored.
The 1080p transfer, sourced from early 2000s HD cameras, preserves the film’s intentionally oversaturated visual style. While black levels remain stable and close-ups show improved detail over prior DVD editions, the heightened colour grading occasionally flattens textures and obscures background elements. Audio options include a robust DTS-HD 5.1 mix that accentuates the industrial score and grotesque feeding sounds, though dialogue clarity varies in chaotic sequences.
Unearthed Films packages the film with a staggering array of supplemental material:
- Director’s commentary: Leonard dissects the feederism subculture’s real-life parallels and production challenges.
- Alternate ending: A conspiratorial twist that reframes the narrative’s moral ambiguity.
- 90+ minutes of deleted/extended scenes: Including excised violence and character beats.
- Interviews: Retrospective chats with O’Loughlin, Thompson, and producer Melissa Beauford.
- Behind-the-scenes featurettes: Showcasing the prosthetic effects and location shoots.
Critics note the alternate cut (1h31m vs. theatrical 1h40m) offers intriguing comparisons despite its rougher audio/visual quality. The archival premiere footage and infomercial parody add campy counterpoints to the film’s grim tone.
“Feed” provocatively interrogates society’s obsession with “deviance,” contrasting Jackson’s professional voyeurism with Carter’s warped idealism. While Fangoria’s “sickest film” claim feels hyperbolic by modern standards, the clinical depiction of feeder rituals retains power to unsettle. The film’s critique of internet-era detachment resonates stronger today, though its heavy-handed metaphors occasionally lapse into exploitation.
The narrative falters in its final act, rushing toward a philosophically muddled confrontation that leaves thematic threads dangling. Secondary characters like Jackson’s girlfriend (Marika Aubrey) feel underdeveloped, reducing emotional stakes. Technical limitations of the era’s HD cameras also resurface in murky wide shots, though Unearthed’s encode minimizes artifacts.
This release caters squarely to genre completists. While the film itself remains an acquired taste, the exhaustive extras package provides academic value for scholars of extreme cinema. First-time viewers should brace for graphic content, including prolonged force-feeding sequences and full-frontal obesity effects.
Unearthed Films delivers a definitive edition of Leonard’s divisive thriller, bolstered by archival riches that contextualize its production. Though “Feed” struggles to balance social commentary with shock tactics, its unapologetic plunge into bodily horror makes it a compelling time capsule of pre-streaming transgressive filmmaking. Recommended for fans of Se7en’s grimmer tonal cousins, albeit with strong content warnings.
