Videodrome
Videodrome (1983)
Image From IMDB
Like a few others in my review section I'd class this more as horror than sci-fi, but I love horror too and will find any excuse to add the odd one. That said, the body horror aspect of Videodrome definitely has a bizarre tech side to it, so I'm counting it as science fiction too.
Videodrome follows the story of Max (James Woods) as he tries to find content for his edgy TV station. While currently full of ‘soft’ porn, he wants something harder, and thinks he’s found the next big thing when he discovers Videodrome. A violent program that feels all to real… probably because it is.
I love how grimy and sleazy this movie is from the offset. Every character feels like someone you should avoid in real life. They’re all dialled up to 11, but not in a cartoony way, more in a sordid underbelly way. It’s great. Woods is fantastic as Max, and I really like Debbie Harry’s Nicki Brand. The look and attitude of the character are iconic in my eyes.
The movie is stuffed full of sex and violence, and while the film is about exploitation, its actually not in an exploitive manner (not that I would mind, I love Grindhouse films) All the nasty stuff is very much related to the story and themes as the movie examines both peoples penchants for enjoying stuff society thinks they shouldn’t, and the addiction content can cause (sound familiar)
Videodrome really is a bizarre precursor for what social media and the internet has become. While it was probably more of a look at (or just being part of) the video nasty market of the time, it feels like the movie practically invented the idea of the dark web, while also having plenty of to say about the dangers of binge watching (and therefore doomscrolling)
The effects like great, and I love the imagery of the video tape within the body horror aspects. The mixture of tech and body horror is a staple of Cronenberg and nobody does it better. That whole sequence with the gun in the stomach, or of him practically fucking the TV, is just bat shit crazy, and I miss that sort of creativity.
The final act goes full surreal body horror leaving behind some of the more sci-fi ideals but it works well within the context of the movie. It’s an odd film that most definitely isn’t for everyone, but if you like Cronenberg’s horror work this is one of his best. Add into that some great world building with the hints of dystopia and you have a very interesting film that has plenty to say alongside the shocking imagery. It’s not one I'd recommend to all fans of science fiction, but if you enjoy some nasty horror too, this one is great.
