A supernatural autopsy reveals a centuries-old secret hidden within a perfectly preserved corpse
In short: When two coroners receive an unidentified body, they expect a routine examination. Instead, they uncover a series of impossible physical anomalies that defy medical logic. As the morgue becomes a claustrophobic trap, they realize the corpse is not merely a cadaver, but a vessel for an ancient, vengeful curse.
Directed by André Øvredal, the 2016 film The Autopsy of Jane Doe follows father-and-son coroners Tommy and Austin Tilden as they investigate a mysterious corpse found at a crime scene. The body presents a baffling medical paradox: while the lack of rigor mortis and active blood flow suggest a recent death, the eyes appear clouded as if the individual had been deceased for days. Further examination reveals shattered internal bones, missing teeth, and lungs blackened by unknown causes, despite the skin remaining entirely unmarked.
The investigation takes a dark turn when the coroners discover strange symbols carved into the skin and a cloth hidden inside the stomach containing cryptic diagrams. These markings link the corpse to the 1693 Salem witch trials and Leviticus 20:27, a passage condemning witchcraft. The coroners deduce that the woman was tortured to death after being accused of sorcery, a process that inadvertently transformed her into an immortal entity capable of feeling pain while remaining in a state of suspended animation.
As the morgue becomes isolated from the outside world, the film shifts into a psychological and supernatural thriller. The entity, seeking to inflict her own suffering upon her captors, forces the coroners into a harrowing ritual. The production, which grossed $6 million, was praised for its claustrophobic atmosphere and the performance of Olwen Kelly, who utilized her yoga training to maintain the physical control necessary to portray the enigmatic, motionless subject.
Critical reception was generally positive, with Rotten Tomatoes reporting an 86% approval rating from 110 critics. While some reviewers, such as Dennis Harvey of Variety, found the climax unfulfilling, others like Richard Whittaker of The Austin Chronicle lauded the film for its elegant and disturbing unraveling of the central mystery. The film stands as a deliberate return to classical horror, inspired by the success of The Conjuring.
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