SOCIETY (1989)
***
Directed by Brian Yuzna
Starring:
Billy Warlock ("Billy Whitney")
Patrice Jennings ("Jenny Whitney")
Devin DeVasquez ("Clarissa Carlyn")
WHAT IT'S ABOUT
***
Directed by Brian Yuzna
Starring:
Billy Warlock ("Billy Whitney")
Patrice Jennings ("Jenny Whitney")
Devin DeVasquez ("Clarissa Carlyn")
WHAT IT'S ABOUT
Billy is an alienated teenager who's perpetually suspicious of his wealthy, well-to-do mother and father, beautiful sister, and air-headed girlfriend. At first his nameless fears seem groundless, but as Billy delves ever deeper into the mystery surrounding the rituals connected with those in 'high society', he starts seeing things that should not be... and realizes that his apathetic and shallow family and peers are not who they seem.
WHAT WORKS
Quite simply, the special effects. Society doesn't skimp on some very sick stuff, featuring disturbing special effects by Screamin' Mad George that are like Heironymous Bosch crossed with John Carpenter's alien Thing. The film also features some class-skewering satire that, while not as funny or as interesting as Carpenter's B-movie horror/sci-fi/action satire They Live, is relatively well-done and fits the film's bizarre bodily distortions and themes of familial and societal/class incest as well. Plus, some of the characters (most notably Pamela Matheson as Mrs. Carlyn, who never speaks and only glowers like a huge, grotesquely made-up psycho) are memorable. And the film's final moments are particularly memorable. You will know what I mean when you see it.
WHAT DOESN'T WORK
The ending, while being Society's greatest strength, is also its weakness. Let's just say that I cannot believe the hero got off that easily or lightly. Also, the main crux of the plot doesn't make much logical sense when you think about it from a strictly logical, storytelling point of view (however, in all fairness, Society is far more allegorical and satirical rather than a straight-faced, serious horror film).
THE FINAL WORD
If you're into gross, disturbing '80's horror with plenty of eye-popping, jaw-dropping special effects, "What did I just see?!" moments, and some nasty satire, rent Society for a grotesque good time. You'll never look at the word "shunt" in the same way again.
IF YOU LIKE THIS FILM, YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
The Thing (1982), The Fly (1986), They Live, From Beyond, Re-animator, Alien, Aliens.
"Society" on IMDB.
"Society" on Youtube: See the trailer.
2 comments:
Hey! This is one I've literally been wanting to see for *years* - if biopunk horror/comedy is the redheaded stepchild of science and horror fiction, then consider me the sweaty pervert who lusts after the poor, neglected gingers... Wait, what?
Well, have you ever gone to the Video Spectrum? It's right in your neck of the woods. That's where I rented "Society". You can get five movies for five days for five dollars. That's where I've gotten "Society" and "Black Roses" (though I don't think they still have that) and "The Prey" (don't think they still have that, either) and "Highlander". They have a good selection of old, obscure VHS horror, though it's being taken over by the DVDs. So get there while the gettin' is good.
I'll be returning it this Tuesday, so...
And I DEFINITELY think you'd like this one. The effects at the end are pretty mind-blowingly disgusting/disturbing. Strangely though, there's almost no blood, because if there was then the film probably would have gotten an NC-17. It's THAT messed up.
Oh, and it's the debut film of the guy who did "Re-animator". Dunno if that has any extra street cred with you, but still.
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