Dr. Hag Raglan (Oliver Reed) offers an eccentric and controversial new psychological therapy, which engages the body into healing the mind. When Frank Carveth's (Art Hindle) daughter Candice (Cindy Hinds) returns home from visiting her institutionalised mother Nola (Candice Carveth) with scratches and bruises, the father attempts his best to avoid further visitations to the institute hideaway. After Frank attempts to gain evidence of harmful methods used by the psychologist, a series of brutal murders start occurring...
Revisiting the theme of new flesh (brought about by psychological forcing) Cronenberg's body horror "The Brood" is probably his most B-class movie rife with borderline campy performances, laughable monsters and a witty, if hyperbolically idiotic premise. After a slow and faltering build-up plodding to the finale with little interest the ultimate vision is still unique and disturbingly brilliant, but as a pure movie experience several ideas can't overcome the overall crudeness of this effort. Possibly Cronenberg's weakest outing, but still worth watching as part of the Cronenberg canon to fully grasp the specificity of his fascination with the duality of the body and the mind, as well as with the fascinating human phobias regarding his own flesh. The movie also features typically Cronenberg frigid characters, somewhat detached from emotion and increasingly troubled as a result of this disconnect.
"The Brood" introduces several themes regarding motherhood and the role of the father, while also directing some badly focused personal vendetta at females (portrayed here are full of anger and destructive intent). Nonetheless these aren't as deep or thoughtful as needed, whilst the overall B-quality horror feel forgives anyone wanting to avoid any deeper analysis into the subject matter.
Revisiting the theme of new flesh (brought about by psychological forcing) Cronenberg's body horror "The Brood" is probably his most B-class movie rife with borderline campy performances, laughable monsters and a witty, if hyperbolically idiotic premise. After a slow and faltering build-up plodding to the finale with little interest the ultimate vision is still unique and disturbingly brilliant, but as a pure movie experience several ideas can't overcome the overall crudeness of this effort. Possibly Cronenberg's weakest outing, but still worth watching as part of the Cronenberg canon to fully grasp the specificity of his fascination with the duality of the body and the mind, as well as with the fascinating human phobias regarding his own flesh. The movie also features typically Cronenberg frigid characters, somewhat detached from emotion and increasingly troubled as a result of this disconnect.
"The Brood" introduces several themes regarding motherhood and the role of the father, while also directing some badly focused personal vendetta at females (portrayed here are full of anger and destructive intent). Nonetheless these aren't as deep or thoughtful as needed, whilst the overall B-quality horror feel forgives anyone wanting to avoid any deeper analysis into the subject matter.