“Teeth” is a 2007 US horror film written and directed by Mitchell Lichtenstein. The film tells the story of Dawn, an unassuming high school student who was born with an unusual medical condition called vagina dentata (Latin for “toothed vagina”). This condition leads Dawn to discover over the course of the film that her genitals have teeth that act as a defence mechanism.
The film explores themes of sexuality, power and the notion of femininity in a satirical yet disturbing way. While Dawn is initially ignorant and naïve, over the course of the film she develops some control over her unusual anatomical feature and uses it to defend herself against sexual assault.
“Teeth” undoubtedly has some crazy and unconventional ideas that can be both intriguing and disturbing. The central premise of the film, that a woman is equipped with teeth in her vagina, may seem absurd to some viewers. However, the use of the vagina dentata as a metaphor for female power and as a means of retaliation against sexual violence is an interesting approach and thought-provoking.
The film also addresses societal issues, particularly the double standard in dealing with female sexuality. Dawn experiences both rejection and exploitation from men during her sexual journey. The film plays with stereotypes and challenges the traditional view of women as passive sexual objects.
However, “Teeth” is not a film for the faint-hearted. The explicit depictions of violence and sexual assault may disturb some viewers. Although the film plays with some black comedy and an absurd basic concept, it can still be found disturbing and unsettling.
