Savage Love (2012) User Reviews

Lead actor Dustin Semmelrogge - enough said

[Horst_In_Translation · 2/10 · 24 April 2017]

"Savage Love" is (despite the title) a German German-language live action movie from 2012, so this one has its 5th anniversary this year. The writer and director is Olaf Ittenbach and he has made horror films here in Germany for over 25 years already, so you can certainly call him an established filmmaker. But his long career is also evidence that you do not need to be a particularly gifted artist to find work in the industry for decades. The only cast member I knew in this 85-minute film here is Dustin Semmelrogge and yes he is the son of Martin Semmelrogge ("Das Boot"). And while I don't think his dad is the most talented actor at all, Dustin even lacks talent completely and he also lacks the charisma/recognition value from his father. Says a lot if the highlights of your career are becoming last in the German Version of "I am a Celebrity" jungle show and the lead role in an Olaf Ittenbach film. His co-lead here is Frenchman Philippe Jacq, who is certainly better than Semmelrogge, but this does not require a lot and does not mean he is a god actor. Then again, can you really blame the actors for not shining in a garbage movie with a garbage script like this one here? Perhaps not or only to a small extent, but it's almost impossible to elevate the material, let alone make it work. The weakest moments of the entire film were probably the girl(s) with the devilish voice. Man that was embarrassing. I am pretty glad this film ended before the 90-minute mark and honestly I'd have preferred to end it way earlier already. I thought it was a mess and this includes basically all components of this production. Only see it if you (for whatever reason) really love Ittenbach's other work. Major thumbs-down.

Let the right one ... actually let no one in

[kosmasp · 3/10 · 3 July 2022]

No pun intended there. When it comes to effects, the movie does have quite a few moments that it can shine to say the least. If you are into low budget horror that is. When it comes to acting and story .. well you won't find too much of that here. I may be either too harsh with my rating or still way too nice - depending on your ability to suspend your disbelief and how much slack you are willing to cut and give the movie for its low budget origin. And of course if you are a fan - either of Olaf Ittenbach or anyone else involved.

Actually I even know one of the extras in the movie. Funny I never knew that about him. Plays one of the "bad guys" - and it is quite fitting make up too. Again really low budget, really not that well made in many respects and aspects, but that doesn't mean you can't have some love for it ... you do you and all that.

Disappointing

[silvio-mitsubishi · 4/10 · 15 August 2023]

I don't know if this was ever shown in theatres but it has a 'straight to video' feel to it. Two friends are invited to a brothel for a night of debauchery. How this happened is glossed over, although there is a plot twist that doesn't really work because of it. Acting across the board is wooden, and dialogue often echoes as if filmed in a studio without sound deadening.

An introductory scene is referred to later in the story, but was probably unnecessary. A character who plays little part in the first half of the film is introduced as a surprise, but most will have worked out his role early on. The script is likely to offend many; the two non-white characters (one 'good', one evil) are not sympathetic roles. There is glorification of indiscriminate drug use, and misogynist language. Some elements of the story bear so little connection to the plot that they were possibly used purely to increase the gore.

I suspect my attention drifted at times as I found myself wondering how we reached this point, but rewinding didn't clarify anything. Some will enjoy the Grand Guignol blood and guts, but more will likely find it cheap and tawdry. I am among the latter.