Videodrome (1983)
VHS killed the video star.
Presentation:
Despite body horror being one of the more unconventional genres, Videodrome manages to somewhat feel like an experimental film. David Cronenberg attempts to incorporate thematic social commentary within the adult entertainment industry. As usual, his films are gritty, desaturated, and visually bland. This complements the extreme body horror and might even make it more shocking, though I think The Fly was significantly more grotesque.
Conclusion:
The story focuses a lot on its conspiracy, but I felt it overreached. There are a lot of misses in this film - the film is crude in the wrong ways, has tasteless nudity, and I found it impossible to care about its inarticulate story. The saving grace of Cronenberg’s films is usually the body horror, but it’s mostly partial body horror and I was unfazed. This movie takes itself more seriously than it should.
Recommendations
Political assassination is never what it seems…