The Brood (1979) Film Review: Underrated Cronenberg psychological body horror will chill you to the bone
- reeltalkin'
- May 5
- 2 min read
A father tries to uncover a controversial psychologist's unconventional therapy techniques on his institutionalized wife, amidst a series of brutal murders and a traumatised five-year-old daughter caught in the middle of everything.
The King of Venereal Horror, David Cronenberg (The Fly, 1986), crafts a deeply disturbing horror gem inspired by his own experience of marriage fallout and a child caught in between. A dark, bizarre, and rich narrative delves into themes of motherhood, domestic abuse, psychological trauma, and visceral body horror with some of the most impressive practical effects put to screen. The film is mostly a slow burn build-up of pure dread, leading to a climactic reveal which is sure to leave a lasting impact.
The movie is immediately striking and sets the tone from the first few notes of Howard Shore's impactful score. Having gone on to have a successful career, it is no question as to why directors seek him out to compose music for their films, as his very first score for The Brood is fantastic. The music has a classic horror style reminiscent of Bernard Herrmann's work for Hitchcock's Psycho (1960), with the use of stringed instruments greatly elevating the already creepy vibe Cronenberg's direction and screenplay have to offer.
Psychoplasmic therapy becomes a fascinating concept that the plot centers on as Dr. Raglan's (Oliver Reed) chosen method of treating his mentally ill patients. Mesmerizing, theatrical-like sequences of Raglan role playing by embodying the physical manifestation of his patients' trauma, such as an abusive parent or unsupportive partner, make way for horrific ramifications later on. There is an intriguing sense of mystery surrounding the enigmatic doctor and whether his methods are to be trusted, as well as mysterious dwarf killers on the loose with a genuinely frightening concept, which pays off enormously by the final act.
The film does not hold back with its imagery, unveiling grotesque moments of pure horror and equally as disturbing murder sequences, with one skin-crawling example which forces young children to watch their teacher be brutally beaten to death. It may be seen as exploitative, however, the intelligent screenplay offers something truly unique for horror fans with its compelling exploration of unconventional therapy and the many layers to its themes. It is no surprise that the movie has become a cult classic. Iconic, striking imagery, such as the red winter coat which Candice (Cindy Hinds) and the children wear, bears a similarity to Georgie's yellow raincoat in Stephen King's IT.
Despite some arguably 'hammy' overacting at points and some plodding pacing which may turn some viewers away, The Brood is certainly an overlooked psychological horror film, marked by Cronenberg's solid direction, a fittingly chilling score, and plenty of unsettling imagery to stick in the mind long after the final credits.
Check out the trailer for The Brood (1979) below, and please let me know your thoughts in the comments!
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