Underseen David Cronenberg Body Horror Now Streaming on Max

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With the weather turning colder, Max has a growing collection of horror movies perfect for a spooky night in. They’ve added both well-known favorites and unusual hidden gems – films that offer more than just cheap thrills and might surprise you with how different they are from what you remember.

If you enjoy stories about dramatic physical changes, you’re probably familiar with films like ‘The Fly’ and ‘Videodrome’. However, even if you think you know David Cronenberg’s work well, his earlier films still have a few unexpected twists.

Okay, so you absolutely need to check out ‘The Brood’ if you haven’t. It’s a really unsettling, but surprisingly moving film that takes the everyday stresses of family life and twists them into something genuinely terrifying. It came out towards the end of the seventies, and you can really see David Cronenberg starting to explore his signature themes – how physical pain connects to emotional trauma. The basic story is about a therapist with some pretty out-there methods and a family falling apart, but trust me, it quickly becomes much more than that. It’s a slow burn that builds into a truly monstrous exploration of anger and loss.

It’s no exaggeration to say this film deserves more attention. While ‘The Brood’ doesn’t have the famous actors of David Cronenberg’s later work, it clearly shows the beginnings of his signature style. The movie explores how powerfully emotions can manifest physically, and the acting is raw and intensely believable – the scenes often feel uncomfortably real, like overhearing a private, heated disagreement.

David Cronenberg has always been open about what interests him, famously calling horror films “art, films of confrontation.” This concept is central to ‘The Brood,’ where conflict isn’t just spoken – it’s physical and explosive. He also believes technology is a natural extension of the human body. Even in this earlier work, before he became known for films about implants and digital interfaces, you can see his interest in the body as a constantly changing, living system, not just a fixed form.

Join us on November 3rd as we begin our Heavy Reeding series with a screening of David Cronenberg’s The Brood at the Lightbox 3 cinema at the Art Museum Cinematheque. This 35mm print is generously provided by the TIFF Film Reference Library. Tickets are available now!

— Cinematic Void (@cinematic_void) October 21, 2025

If you’re familiar with the director’s later work, like ‘Crimes of the Future’ – which famously declared “Surgery is the new sex” – you’ll see a similar mindset at play here. ‘The Brood’ isn’t as direct, but it shares that same exploration of longing, trauma, and the possibility of starting over. The key difference is that the raw emotions in this film feel much more immediate and tangible.

Watching this film now is a great way to understand how Cronenberg developed his signature style. Pay attention to the cold, clinical settings – they foreshadow his later work that mixes healthcare with spectacle. Notice how the family interacts, as it hints at his fascination with how relationships sour when people hide their true desires. And then, watch the ending and see if you can predict what happens.

Don’t miss the well-known movies this month, but definitely check out ‘The Brood’ while it’s available on Max. It’s a tightly-made, disturbing film that showcases why the director is still so highly regarded. It won’t offer easy answers, but it might leave you feeling understood.

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2025-10-28 02:48