The Fly (1986) Review – A Masterclass In Body Horror And Tragedy
The Fly: Quick Verdict
The Verdict: A profound and visceral landmark in horror cinema that successfully balances stomach-turning special effects with a deeply affecting tragic romance. David Cronenberg’s The Fly is the rare remake that surpasses its predecessor, using body horror as a powerful metaphor for disease and the aging process. Jeff Goldblum delivers a career-defining performance as Seth Brundle, making his progressive loss of humanity feel as emotionally painful as it is physically repulsive. Supported by incredible practical effects from Chris Walas and a soaring Howard Shore score, the film remains as shocking and relevant today as it was in the 1980s. It is a 4.2 star essential that belongs in every horror fan’s collection. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Details: Director: David Cronenberg | Cast: Jeff Goldblum, Geena Davis, John Getz | Runtime: 1h 36m | Release Date: 15 August 1986
Best for: Fans of high-quality practical effects, psychological character studies, and anyone who appreciates horror with an actual emotional heartbeat.
Worth noting: Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis were a real-life couple during the production, which accounts for the undeniable and gut-wrenching chemistry between their characters.
Where to Watch: Amazon🛒, Disney+
Rating: 4.2/5 Stars
(Sensational lead acting, legendary practical effects, gut-wrenching tragedy)
Welcome to Knockout Horror. Today we are reviewing David Cronenberg’s body-horror classic The Fly from 1986.
Table of Contents
Legitimately scary
Did anyone else catch this movie on television when they were way too young. Get completely freaked out by Seth Brundle puking all over his food and spend the next few years constantly worrying about their finger nails falling off? Because I sure as hell did. This movie scared the crap out of me when I was a kid and it really stuck with me. I mean, let’s be honest, it is easy to scare a kid but I think this movie is still scary to this day. It’s also pretty gross.
I actually turned it off for a while when I first watched it as it made me feel a little bit sick. I did end up turning it back on and I legitimately enjoyed it. Aside from the fact that this is a genuinely scary movie, it features a moving story and some of the most effective horror effects and imagery in history. I think The Fly is the movie that really sparked my love of body horror.
A reimagining of a classic
Following the story of a scientist who conducts an experiment that goes horribly wrong, slowly transforming him into a human fly, The Fly is something of a reimagining of the 1958 Kurt Neumann film of the same name. Whereas Neumann’s version of the story was criticised for being, how should I put it? Disgusting. Cronenberg basically said “Hold my beer” and decided to turn the grossness up to the next level. The Fly is Cronenberg at his skin crawling best.
I’m a big fan of the 1958 version of The Fly but it has, obviously, been dulled by the passage of time. While still a brilliant horror movie, it’s not the horrifying, scary, movie it once was. Cronenberg’s version, on the other hand, has held up incredibly well. It is not a movie without its struggles, though. In fact, Charles Pogue’s first script of the movie was so disliked by executives at 20th Century Fox that they immediately withdrew from the movie.
Young Frankenstein‘s Mel Brooks, of all people, was brought on to produce in an un-credited role. Brooks and fellow producer Stuart Cornfeld hired War Games writer Walon Green to rewrite Pogue’s script. Only for Pogue to be brought back on board to finish the job.
“Jeff Goldblum is fantastic here, perfectly capturing Brundle’s mix of genius and eccentricity. He brings a ton of energy to the role and is completely convincing.”
British director Robert Bierman was given the script and placed at the helm of the movie. But a horrific tragedy that claimed his young daughter took him away from the production and would result in him not returning. Cronenberg was offered the position and agreed on the condition that he could rewrite the script. Brooks and Cornfeld agreed and the rest is history.
Both touching and horrifying
The Fly brought together an engaging story with some extremely effective visual horror to make for a movie that is beyond memorable. Brundle’s transformation into a fly is captivating. It isn’t just a physical transformation. Brundle’s mind starts falling apart and he begins to mentally collapse. With his personality drastically changing and him becoming more impulsive, more aggressive, and less in control of his emotions.
Sure, the physical stuff is going to be the thing that sticks with you. With the transformation being legitimately disgusting and some of the scenes turning your stomach inside out. But the thing that makes it so good is that it isn’t simply a mindless horror movie. Cronenberg has managed to put together a movie that is both scary and touching. Brundle is a character that you genuinely feel for. To watch him slowly unwind is affecting and even moving.
“Aside from the fact that this is a genuinely scary movie, it features a moving story and some of the most effective horror effects and imagery in history.”
Cronenberg spends a decent amount of time building Brundle and Quaife’s relationship. Making sure to guarantee that the viewer is invested in Brundle’s downfall. He is a victim of his own genius and that makes for a type of horror that feels very unique. This isn’t just a run of the mill monster horror movie. The Fly is a deep story with characters you care about and some fantastic writing.
Amazing body horror
Naturally, we can’t talk about this movie without referencing the body horror. It is typically Cronenberg and absolutely disgusting in parts. Some of the scenes here are beyond nasty. For Brundle to become a fly he has to shed everything that makes him human. That means finger nails dropping off, teeth falling out and everything in between. It isn’t just that, though. That’s not enough. We have bones being snapped, faces being melted and much more. It’s brilliant stuff and the effects are excellent. The Fly is a great reminder of just how good practical effects can be.
There are also some good old fashioned traditional horror scares as well. With Brundle becoming increasingly animalistic as the movie goes on. The later stages of the film are consistently intense. With the final 20 minutes or so being genuinely unnerving. All of this is helped massively by Jeff Goldblum’s sensational performance.
“For Brundle to become a fly he has to shed everything that makes him human. That means finger nails dropping off, teeth falling out and everything in between.”
He is fantastic here, perfectly capturing Brundle’s mix of genius and eccentricity. He brings a ton of energy to the role and is completely convincing throughout. Especially towards the later parts of the film when Brundle truly unwinds. Geena Davis is also pretty great in an accompanying role. Doing a brilliant job of showing Veronica’s empathy for Brundle but also her fear of him.
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
The Good
- The Transformation: Chris Walas’ Oscar-winning makeup remains the gold standard for body horror, making every stage of Brundle’s decay feel tangible.
- The Lead Chemistry: Goldblum and Davis provide a genuine emotional core that makes the final act’s horror feel deeply personal rather than just gross.
- Howard Shore’s Score: The operatic and tragic musical backdrop elevates the film from a simple monster movie to a grand tragedy.
The Bad
- Extreme Gore: The film is undeniably stomach-turning. Those with a weak constitution may find certain scenes (like the “Brundle-Museum”) too difficult to stomach.
- Pacing: A few of the earlier dialogue heavy scenes can feel slightly dated in their execution, though they serve the character building well.
The Ugly: The “Brundle-Puke.” The digestive process of the fly is depicted with such visceral, slimy detail that it remains one of the most revolting sequences in horror history.
Should You Watch The Fly?
Yes, absolutely. It is a stone-cold classic for a reason. The Fly is a perfect example of what can be achieved when a talented director is given the freedom to explore dark themes with a capable budget and an incredible cast. It is a 4.2 star masterpiece that is both horrific and heartbreaking. Just make sure you haven’t eaten right before the second half kicks in.
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Horror is a genre that thrives thanks to indie film makers and low budget creators. At Knockout Horror, we firmly believe that every movie that we review deserves a fair fight. That's why we grade on a curve. Our star ratings are all about context, judging a film on what it achieves with the resources it has.
A 4-star rating for a scrappy indie horror made for $10,000 is a testament to its ingenuity and raw power. A 4-star rating for a $100 million blockbuster means it delivered on its epic promises. We don't compare them side-by-side; we celebrate success in every weight class, from the back-alley brawler to the heavyweight champion. Please keep this in mind when considering star ratings.
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