Part Terry Gilliam head trip, part Thomas Pynchon novel, this intelligent horror film is one hell of a mindfuck. I wish I’d discovered it in my twenties when I had the time to watch this kind of thing three or four times in a week and really dissect it. As it is, this is a film I’ll eventually revisit knowing it will pay off with multiple viewings.
While the technology might be outdated, the themes Cronenberg explores are as relevant as ever. Media’s effect on both society and the individual, identity in the modern world, and religion and fanaticism among them. Professor Bryan O’Blivion’s prediction that everyone will have “television names” practically foretells our current online usernames/personas. Max’s wake up videos are a primitive jury-rigged version of our smart devices like Alexa.
Videodrome is the name of a mysterious torture porn program that sleazy TV producer Max Renn (an excellent James Woods) wants to acquire for his station. But the more he pursues this program, the deeper the mystery grows. And because this is Cronenberg, things are going to get visually interesting and gory. One of my favorite surreal moments is a mission that provides television time to the homeless.
Although I haven’t seen it for years, this movie obviously prepared Cronenberg for its spiritual cousin The Naked Lunch. If you like puzzles and trippy films, you’ll have fun with this one.
Pairs well with: The Naked Lunch
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