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The Autopsy of Jane Doe

| 2016

Directed by: André Øvredal

 official film poster image

Main Plot

"The Autopsy of Jane Doe," directed by André Øvredal, is a chilling horror film that unfolds in a small-town family-owned morgue and crematorium. The story begins when the local sheriff finds the body of an unidentified woman, referred to as Jane Doe, at a crime scene and brings her to experienced coroner Tommy Tilden and his son, Austin, for an urgent forensic analysis. As the Tildens work through the night to determine the cause of Jane Doe's death, they uncover increasingly bizarre and disturbing anomalies in her body. Each layer of examination reveals inexplicable clues that defy logical explanation, suggesting that Jane Doe's death was anything but ordinary. The deeper they delve into the autopsy, the more supernatural occurrences begin to unfold around them, indicating that Jane Doe's corpse is somehow connected to dark forces. The tension escalates as Tommy and Austin unravel the horrifying secrets hidden within Jane Doe, leading to a terrifying climax that questions the boundaries between life, death, and the unknown.

Characters

  • Brian Cox plays Tommy Tilden, a coroner who, alongside his son, investigates the mysterious and supernatural death of an unidentified woman, uncovering horrifying secrets in the process.
  • Emile Hirsch plays Austin Tilden, a coroner's assistant who, alongside his father, investigates a mysterious corpse, uncovering terrifying secrets leading to supernatural occurrences.
  • Ophelia Lovibond plays Emma, the girlfriend of Austin Tilden. She visits the morgue, adding tension and emotional depth, ultimately becoming a victim in the supernatural occurrences.

Ending Explained

In the ending of "The Autopsy of Jane Doe," coroners Tommy and Austin Tilden discover that the mysterious corpse they are examining, referred to as Jane Doe, is the body of a woman who was persecuted as a witch in the 17th century. Throughout the autopsy, they uncover increasingly bizarre and supernatural phenomena, including unexplained injuries and symbols inside her body that suggest ritualistic torture. As the supernatural events intensify, with terrifying occurrences around their morgue, they realize that Jane Doe's body is cursed and is channeling the witch's spirit, seeking revenge for her brutal death. The curse manifests in ways that manipulate reality and perception, ultimately leading to the deaths of both Tommy and Austin. Tommy attempts to end the curse by trying to cremate Jane Doe's body, but he fails. The conclusion reveals that the curse is not broken; Jane Doe's body remains unscathed, and the supernatural phenomena are likely to continue as her body is transferred to another unsuspecting group of coroners. The film ends on this chilling note, suggesting that the cycle of horror is doomed to repeat itself, with Jane Doe eternally seeking vengeance.

André Øvredal Horror Mystery Thriller Brian Cox Emile Hirsch Ophelia Lovibond