The Perfection and 4 Other Body Horrors That Are No Less Terrifying Than The Substance
The most terrifying genre experiments, from the classic masterpieces to uncomfortable new releases.
Body horror is a genre that focuses on the transformations and diseases of the human body. We have collected the best of the genre for you, including David Cronenberg's classics and recent festival hits.
1. Titane, 2021
As a child, Alexia was in a car accident and doctors implanted a titanium plate in her head. Many years later, the woman works as a stripper and experiences an uncontrollable desire for sex with metal objects.
This passion leads her to an unnatural pregnancy. Alexia then goes on the run, meeting a lonely firefighter along the way.
In her previous work, entitled Raw, French director Julia Ducournau shocked viewers with the sight of mutilated bodies. Her new movie is even harder to watch, but that did not stop it from winning the Palme d'Or.
2. Videodrome, 1983
Max Renn is the CEO of a small cable network. While searching for original content to broadcast, he stumbles upon a program called Videodrome. Renn becomes obsessed with the content and soon notices horrific changes to his body caused by watching it.
David Cronenberg is considered the inventor of the body horror genre. Videodrome embodies the horror of the VHS era, when movies moved from theaters directly into people's living rooms.
3. Possessor, 2020
Tasya Vos works as a contract killer for an agency that specializes in high-tech assassinations. A person with access to a future victim is given a special implant, after which the mercenary temporarily takes over their consciousness and does the dirty work with someone else's hands. However, Vos' new assignment turns out to be more difficult than she thought.
The movie was made by director and screenwriter Brandon Cronenberg, who continues the work of his father, the master of body horror David Cronenberg, with the utmost fanaticism.
4. Swallow, 2019
Hunter is married to a wealthy and successful businessman. One day she learns that she is expecting a child. Then, under stress, the woman develops a desire to swallow inedible objects. She starts with ice cubes, then buttons and needles.
In form, Swallow is certainly a body horror. But behind the unpleasant scenes lies a psychological drama about the problems women often face: depression, domestic violence, lack of support from loved ones.
5. The Perfection, 2018
Gifted cellist Charlotte gives up her career to care for her dying mother. After her death, the girl decides to return to the world of academic music.
But Charlotte's former mentor has already chosen a new protégé, Lizzie. He finally decides to give Charlotte a chance – the women go on a tour of China together, but this trip ends in a real nightmare.
This is a psychological drama, a twisted detective story, and extreme body horror all in one. And get ready: the movie, and especially the ending, will leave you stunned and your nerves frayed.