Videodrome Review

MPAA Rating: R
Released: 1983

Like a typical David Cronenberg film, Videodrome left me pondering what the hell I just witnessed. Videodrome is such an odd film that it's nearly impossible to define its genre (is it science-fiction? Horror? Drama? All of the above?), much less its definitive premise and goal. Yet despite the schizophrenic storyline and chaotic happenings, there is something oddly compelling about this film…

Max Renn (James Woods) is a co-owner of a small cable television station that caters to an audience hungry for sleazy offerings that push the envelopes of good taste. His station focuses on violent films and softcore porn, but he's still not satisfied. He feels like he's hit a wall, and he's desperate to find even sleazier and offensive shows: "I'm looking for something that'll break through. Something tough."

One day his technician/assistant, Harlan (Peter Dvorsky), shows him a pirate satellite feed he hacked into that depicts two men torturing a naked woman. This underground transmission, called Videodrome, is just what Max was looking for! He feels it is perfect for his depraved audiences, and becomes determined to locate the supplier.

Max convinces a porn distributor named Masha (Lynne Gorman) to assist him with locating the source of Videodrome, but when she does learn of its origin she becomes frightened and warns Max to stay far away from it. She explains that Videodrome is real… snuff… and that the people responsible for it are dangerous. He browbeats her into giving him the supplier's name, so she begrudgingly tells him to seek out Professor Brian O'Blivion (Jack Creley).

As all this is happening he also strikes up a relationship with Nicki Brand (Deborah Harry), a radio talk show host that has taken up an unhealthy interest in the S&M / torture sequences depicted in Videodrome. Together they enter a world of sexual depravity where pain and pleasure become one, though Max soon comes to find that Nicki is far too extreme for even him.

Max eventually comes into contact with Professor O'Blivion's daughter, Bianca (Sonja Smits), who explains that Videodrome killed her father and will inevitably kill him too. The mystery of Videodrome becomes even more puzzling when a corporate tycoon named Barry Convex (Leslie Carlson) introduces himself as the creator of Videodrome.

From this point on it becomes increasingly more difficult to retain a sharp focus on what is happening in this film, because we are presented with the same hallucinatory world that Max is living within. We're not sure what is real or what are figments of his tortured mind, just as he isn't. But the general idea is that Convex wants to use Max's cable station to air Videodrome and thereby infect a large audience with the dangerous transmission.

So as not to ruin the film, I will stop the plot summary here and let you see the latter fourth for yourself if this sounds like the type of movie that's up your alley.

In case you couldn't tell from the summary above, Videodrome is a potent film that is definitely not meant for the kids. It contains some rather graphic sex and violence that aren't presented in a gratuitous manner considering the subject matter, but are still pretty potent nonetheless.

This dark and disturbing movie will also require you to pay close attention if you expect to follow the happenings – it's a thinking-man's horror/sci-fi film. When Max's world starts crashing all around him all viewers will likely be left a bit confused (as is intended), but unless you pay attention you might end up getting confused shortly after leaving the starting gate.

The special effects incorporated in this film, ranging from the shocking violence to novelties such as a pulsating VHS cassette, are absolutely top-notch. This early-80's flick's effects, while a tad dated, are strong enough to even beat out some of the computer-generated effects of today.

Videodrome, as with most of David Cronenberg's offerings, will not be for everyone, but if you're into cerebral horror then it's definitely one you will want to check out.

Movie rating: 7 stars

If you enjoyed Videodrome you may also find the following films to be of interest:

Enjoy the Videodrome experience in the comfort of your own home with these products!

DVD

Special Edition

Soundtrack

Other Resources:

Videodrome IMDb Page

Movie Sitemap

Wondering if the Netflix service is all
it's cracked up to be? Read our
detailed review and find out!