A scientist invents a teleportation machine. It needs some tweaks before it’s ready (we saw what happened to a poor baboon earlier in the film) but when a second baboon isn’t turned into dog food, Brundle is convinced his device is ready. He decides to prove it the ultimate way- with himself. Unfortunately, a fly was in the other pod, so when Brundle emerges triumphant, he doesn’t realise he’s now part man, part fly.

I love that this film was a huge hit and that director David Cronenberg got there with no compromise whatsoever. The idea of him remaking the kitsch Vincent Price flick but with his own sensibilities sounds great. It’s also fantastic that it’s just as great in actuality.

A stellar cast (Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis as Veronica Quaife lead a cast of brilliantly realised and well-rounded characters), Cronenberg’s usual directorial flair and enough gore and viscera to make even the most hardened body horror fan lose their lunch. There’s also a kind of gallows humour to events such as Seth peeling off his own fingernails and his first attempt at arm wrestling. These are scenes that amuse but also revolt in equal measure.

In fact, a huge shoutout to the special effects and make-up department. They really had their work cut out for them but they succeeded admirably. They (Chris Walas and Stephan Dupuis) even earned an Academy Award for their endeavours.

This is Cronenberg breaking into the mainstream cinema audience’s realm without watering down what he puts on screen.

4.5 out of 5 stars