It's a strong theme, unfortunately undercut by faulty pacing and odd lapses in the tension. Still worth seeing for its latently political story and its gory special effects.
The Brood
✭ ✭ ✭ Read critic reviews
Canada · 1979
Rated R · 1h 32m
Director David Cronenberg
Starring Oliver Reed, Samantha Eggar, Art Hindle, Henry Beckman
Genre Horror, Science Fiction
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After noticing bruises and welts on his daughter after a mother-child psychiatric session, a man tries to uncover an unconventional psychologist's therapy techniques on his institutionalized ex-wife, while a series of brutal attacks committed by a brood of mutant children coincides with the husband's investigation.
What are people saying?
What are critics saying?
The Brood sees the undisputed king of body horror honing his visceral eye, whilst at the same time offering up several truly iconic images that have quite clearly endured.
Slant Magazine by Eric Henderson
Undoubtedly [Cronenberg's] best from this period and also the most troubling.
Genuinely disturbing horror but with Cronenberg producing a slightly deeper edge in his portrait of a troubled family.
The New Yorker by Michael Sragow
Cronenberg’s movie was an early showcase for his tense formal style and intellectual Grand Guignol. He displays a true shock-meister’s instinct by saving the worst for last. The result is a cinematic bad dream that generates recurring nightmares.
Chicago Sun-Times by Roger Ebert
The Brood is an el sleazo exploitation film, camouflaged by the presence of several well-known stars but guaranteed to nauseate you all the same.
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