Tetsuo II: Body Hammer

2025-10-31

There's a feeling of anxiety I get when I love a piece of art and know it has a sequel. Maybe even multiple sequels. Surely I'll be disappointed, and I'll have come away with my impression of the original work inevitably effected.

So, going into this movie, I was slightly worried that one of my favorite movies, Tetsuo the Iron Man, would be at risk by giving this one a watch.

From the starting blocks, though, I knew Body Hammer felt like a direct continuation of the movie, while taking its own artistic swings that I deeply fucking respect.

Body Hammer is abrasive. It's charged with homosexuality, and objectification, and latent, repressed feelings that hide themselves until the weight is too great to bear. It reminded me of what it felt like to have my mind stuffed full of harmful ideologies, then sent out into the world, meant to act like a human when I am a weapon. When I can only keep quiet, and stuff myself down until I crash and burn and fire away. It's what I know.

But, even through it all, a little bit of rain can always seep in.

Watch it for the spectacle, and the body horror, yes, but be careful that Body Hammer won't pull your blackened heart out.