The Autopsy of Jane Doe was an instant hit with fans when it debuted in 2016. Brian Cox and Emile Hirsch star in the film, playing two coroners who stumble upon a supernatural mystery when they begin an autopsy on the body of an unidentified woman.
The Autopsy of Jane Doe is not based on a true story
Though the film does reference the infamous Salem witch trials, The Autopsy of Jane Doe is not based on a true story. It is premised on a fictional narrative conjured by Richard Naing and Ian Goldberg.
Nevertheless, the film’s director, Andre Ovredal, tried to infuse the thriller with as much realism as possible. For instance, he insisted on the limited use of prosthetics, directing that an actor (Olwen Kelly) play the corpse for as many scenes as possible. He told Dread Central:
“It was very important to use a real actress. I wanted the audience to identify with a real human being who has been through something so terrible. You don’t really know what it is that’s happened but it’s clear that something horrific has happened to her.”