Teeth (2008)
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A teenage girl discovers she possesses the ancient myth of the vagina dentata after a violent encounter.
The story
Dawn O'Keefe is a teenage spokesperson for a Christian abstinence group who frequently overhears her stepbrother Brad and his girlfriend arguing about his refusal to engage in vaginal intercourse. One afternoon, Dawn meets a man named Tobey. While they initially agree not to spend time alone, they eventually meet at a local swimming hole. After swimming, they enter a cave to get warm and begin kissing. However, the situation turns violent when Tobey becomes aggressive, leading to a horrific accident that leaves Dawn traumatized and fleeing the scene.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
After a violent encounter at a swimming hole where her vagina 'cuts' off Tobey's penis, a traumatized Dawn O'Keefe researches the myth of vagina dentata and realizes she may possess it. After a terrifying examination by a gynecologist where she bites off his fingers, Dawn returns home to find her mother unconscious and her stepbrother Brad having sex with his girlfriend. Seeking help, she meets Ryan, who gives her a sedative and a vibrator; she discovers that when she is relaxed and consenting, her 'teeth' do not engage. However, after Ryan mocks her for a bet he made, she bites off his penis in anger. Seeking revenge on Brad for his role in her mother's death, Dawn seduces him, only for him to realize the truth of her anatomy before she bites off his penis as well. The film ends with Dawn hitchhiking and being picked up by an old man who locks the doors while licking his lips, prompting her to smile mischievously.
- First release year
- 2008
- Runtime (minutes)
- 94
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Mitchell Lichtenstein
- Writers
- Mitchell Lichtenstein · writer; Mitchell Lichtenstein · director
- Cast and characters
- Jess Weixler · Dawn O'Keefe; John Hensley · Brad; Josh Pais · Tobey; Hale Appleman · Ryan; Ashley Springer · Gwen; Lenny Von Dohlen · Phil
- Genres
- comedy; horror; black comedy; independent; feminist; teen
- Themes
- feminism; virginity; urban legends; revenge
- Tone and mood
- horrifically funny; smart; original
- Premise and plot tags
- black comedy; horror; feminist; teen; rape and revenge; urban legend
- Reception
- The film was positively received by critics, described as smart, original, and horrifically funny with a fresh feminist spin on horror tropes.
- Awards and nominations
- Grand Jury Prize for Acting · Acting · win; Special Jury Prize for Dramatic Performance · Dramatic Performance · win
- Production trivia
- The title refers to the ancient trope of vagina dentata.; The film was produced on a budget of $2 million.; A musical adaptation of the film premiered in 2024.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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