“Cannibal Mukbang” Appetizes

Cannibal Mukbang (Aimee Kuge, 2023) 3 out of 5 stars

The “mukbang”—also known as an “eating broadcast”—originated in South Korea in the late 2000s. The concept features a host eating large quantities of food on video and chatting with their audience at the same time. Most of these are live-streamed, with the viewer watching the content creator eat in real time.

The mukbang community has grown in the decade-and-a-half since, with it being one of the more popular video genres on YouTube. The cuisine varies by creator, from typical everyday staples to the more bizarre delicacies. However, most viewers would never suspect what the mukbang content creator in Aimee Kuge’s Cannibal Mukbang feasts on. If it isn’t obvious by the title, the mukbangs in this film feature human meat.

Cannibal Mukbang begins with Mark (Nate Wise), a single young adult in his twenties who struggles to make ends meet and hates his day job as a customer service representative for a meal-kit delivery service. Late one night, after he grabs a snack from a gas station, a car backs into him, knocking him unconscious. He wakes up at the home of Ash (April Consalo), who apologizes profusely for the accident and offers to care for him.

Mark takes a liking to Ash, who mukbangs for a living. Soon after the incident, they begin dating. After one of their dates, Mark sees Ash out later that night with another man. Mark thinks his chances with Ash are all but lost until he sees her lure him into a park, murder him, and eat his flesh. Ash notices that Mark witnessed this, and explains she only kills bad people who deserve it. Now, with the cat out of the bag, can Mark accept Ash’s lifestyle and her particular taste for flesh?

With an idea as wacky as a cannibal who hosts mukbangs, I have to applaud Aimee Kuge for not going too over-the-top here. Surprisingly, the film is very grounded and down to earth, for the most part. Kuge focuses more on the relationship between Mark and Ash instead of concocting a gore fest. There are a few grotesque moments and some blood and guts to be shown, but it never feels unnecessary and distasteful.

Frankly, Cannibal Mukbang is less of a horror film and more of a romance drama that involves a cannibal. The film isn’t scary at all, though it has some quality tension. Admittedly, the film’s first act drags a bit, featuring a run-of-the-mill relationship storyline as Ash and Mark get to know each other. Once Mark is fully aware of what Ash does, however, the plot gets very intriguing.

Both Wise and Consalo shine in their roles here. Consalo, specifically, wows with her impressive portrayal of a mixture of innocent girl-next-door and bloodthirsty cannibal. She’s able to both entice and disturb, and the viewer simultaneously feels sympathy and disgust. The performances are elevated by quality character creation and writing. We learn more and more about both Mark and Ash as the film goes on, including some very compelling pasts that come back to haunt them.

Some horror fans may be disappointed that the film holds back many genre elements. Others may find themselves checking their watch, specifically in the early parts of the film, as there is no real threat or driving problem to solve until the third act. However, once the finale hits, the audience is treated to an intense, shocking conclusion full of twists and turns.

Overall, Cannibal Mukbang exceeds expectations. What I thought would be a bloody gross-out fest is actually a deeper, more disciplined character study with a novel twist. Again, if you’re a blood-and-gore fiend hoping for extravagant kills and disgusting imagery, you might be disappointed. However, you will be treated to a quality film nonetheless, with quality performances and a plot that grows more enthralling as we near the finish line. For a film entitled Cannibal Mukbang, it’s fairly easy, and tasty, to swallow.

Matt Patti

Matt Patti has enjoyed voicing his opinions on films from a young age. He has lived in the Baltimore, Maryland, area since 2015 and is a graduate of Stevenson University’s Film & Moving Image program. Matt is currently back at Stevenson University, working as the School of Design, Arts, and Communication's Studio Manager.