Grafted 2025: A Captivating Review of an Exceptional Horror Drama

Grafted 2025, available on Afdah TV, is a body-horror film that explores themes of beauty, identity, acceptance, and xenophobia. The narrative centers on Wei, whose father was an exceptional scientist on the brink of a revolutionary skin-grafting technique. Tragically, he perishes while experimenting on himself. Years later, Wei relocates from Hong Kong to New Zealand to pursue her father's legacy at university. Struggling with self-esteem due to a noticeable birthmark on her face, she faces ostracism from her cousin Angela. Their relationship deteriorates, culminating in a pivotal moment where Wei resolves to take extreme measures to gain acceptance. Directed by Sasha Rainbow in her debut feature, the screenplay was co-written by Sasha Rainbow, Lee Murray, Mia Maramara, and Hweiling Ow. Joyena Sun portrays Wei, while Jess Hong plays Angela, with Eden Hart and Sepi Toa as Angela's friends Eve and Jasmine, respectively. The cast also includes Jared Turner as Wei's exploitative college professor Paul, Xiao Hu as Aunty Ling, Mark Mitchinson as John, and Ginette McDonald as Sheryl. The film captivates from the outset, with Wei's backstory in the opening scene foreshadowing the impending body horror and bloodshed. The subsequent 20 to 30 minutes effectively establish Wei's new life in New Zealand, showcasing excellent pacing. The film reaches a significant plot point with surprising speed, contributing to a remarkable sense of unpredictability. Although the trajectory of Wei's use of her skin-grafting skills becomes apparent, the journey remains engaging and promises an entertaining experience throughout.

Grafted successfully navigates a blend of horror, dark comedy, and emotional depth. This achievement is particularly noteworthy considering that Joyena Sun, who portrays Wei, is absent from significant portions of the film for reasons that will remain unspecified. The adept direction by Sasha Rainbow ensures that the film maintains a cohesive narrative, even as Wei undergoes significant transformations. Visually, Grafted stands out, with mood being skillfully established through the use of color and framing, which effectively illustrates Wei’s isolation and, subsequently, her descent into madness. The stylization is pronounced but avoids crossing into overtly cartoonish territory. When the visual elements venture beyond the bounds of reality, they consistently lean towards horror rather than camp, which is commendable. At one point, Wei fully embraces the “mad scientist” archetype, influenced by various internal and external factors. However, even during her apparent unraveling, which risks alienating the audience's sympathy, there are poignant moments later in the film that resonate deeply. While perhaps not overwhelmingly powerful, these moments serve as a reminder that Grafted fundamentally embodies a tragic narrative. It is a tragedy enveloped in body horror and gore, yet a tragedy all the same.