More black comedy than horror, The Cannibal Club exists equidistant between The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie and Salo: The 120 Days of Sodom, with maybe a pinch of Eating Raoul thrown in for good measure.

A slick, sick, and self-assured Brazillian provocation about class, the film tells the tale of a decadent couple, Otavio and Gilda, who are given to spicing up their sex life in an unusual way. (We don’t want to spoil anything but there are axes, chainsaws, forks, and knives involved.)

The colours are vivid and gorgeous, the playfully jazzy soundtrack (by Fernando Catatau) is pure pleasure, and everything is told with spare self-control and a dry wit.

It’s actually a relatively tasteful film, given the multiple murders and spatters of blood and semen. Probably not a good film to watch before or after a steak dinner, but a definite crowd pleaser for class warriors and fans of dark satire.