Synopsis
A man tries to uncover an unconventional psychologist's therapy techniques on his institutionalized wife, while a series of brutal attacks committed by a brood of mutant children coincides with the husband's investigation.
Your Movie Library
Cast
- Oliver ReedDr. Hal Raglan
- Samantha EggarNola Carveth
- Art HindleFrank Carveth
- Henry BeckmanBarton Kelly
- Nuala FitzgeraldJuliana Kelly
- Cindy HindsCandice Carveth
- Susan HoganRuth Mayer
- Gary McKeehanMike Trellan
- Michael MageeInspector
- Robert A. SilvermanJan Hartog
Recommendations
- 83
IndieWire
Cronenberg has become known as a purveyor of body horror, in which the monstrous arises from within rather than without. The Brood cunningly turns this motif into a metaphor for psychotherapy itself, which seeks to dredge up and cast out the monsters haunting the unconscious. - 80
The New Yorker
Cronenberg’s movie was an early showcase for his tense formal style and intellectual Grand Guignol. He displays a true shock-meister’s instinct by saving the worst for last. The result is a cinematic bad dream that generates recurring nightmares. - 80
Empire
Genuinely disturbing horror but with Cronenberg producing a slightly deeper edge in his portrait of a troubled family. - 80
CineVue
The Brood sees the undisputed king of body horror honing his visceral eye, whilst at the same time offering up several truly iconic images that have quite clearly endured. - 75
Slant Magazine
Undoubtedly [Cronenberg's] best from this period and also the most troubling. - 75
TV Guide Magazine
Powerful and disturbing on both a physical and mental level, The Brood is the first Cronenberg film to use name actors, and marked a significant progression in the director's exploration of biological horror. - 70
Variety
A horror entry which casts children in the role of malevolent little monsters, The Brood is an extremely well made, if essentially unpleasant, shocker. - 60
Time Out
It's a strong theme, unfortunately undercut by faulty pacing and odd lapses in the tension. Still worth seeing for its latently political story and its gory special effects.
