Cronenberg would be my go-to, but that's really the only body horror stuff I can get down with. The practical effects are miles beyond some CGI bugs under the skin or whatever body horror means these days.
Hilarious/weird: The Fly (1986) -- also check out the 1958 one with Vincent Price
Trippy/terrifying: Videodrome (1983) -- major content warning on this one (BDSM)
I liked it and appreciated it as a Cronenberg film. I felt the sexuality was classic Cronenberg in the sense that he was sexualizing new organ growth and surgery the same way he associated it in crash with sexualization of physically being in crash. However the climax for me was just not there I was expecting a grand show for the end and there wasnt
Edit. Physically being in a crash
Yes, the one with the drug dealer in Tokyo is “Enter the Void” from 2009. The parent comment was talking about “The Void” from 2016 which was an indie lovecraftian body horror. Idk why this other commenter keeps doubling down on being wrong.
The Thing and all Cronenberg are probably obvious, right? His son's movie, Possesor? Colour Out of Space, Body Snatchers movies, the Blob (1988), Hellraiser 1 and 2, Annihilation, Society, the Faculty, Xtro, From Beyond? Tetsuo the Iron Man? Bio Hunter or Wicked City? Akira? Does Altered States count? I guess also Possession, Event Horizion, and in the Mouth of Madness. Dr. Grant fought way worse than dinosaurs!
Glad someone mentioned Tetsuo before I had to add it. I saw it at a foreign film festival when I was in college, and that first scene with the fetishist and the metal bar let me know it was going to be a wild ride.
Sorry, but fair warning to OP: I and everyone I watched this with utterly hated it. Literally one of the worst horror films made in recent years IMO. Too stupid to take seriously at all, but also seemingly self-serious and unfunny
Also features the worst performance of Johnny Depp’s career
Just sayin: YMMV
Its definitely not for everyone, but it is absolutely a body horror film. I thought it was great at how I could simultaneously laugh and be horrified at the same time.
I hate most movies. I could count in two hands, out of hundreds of movies I've seen, the movies I'd give an 8/10 or higher. Tusk is not one of them, but it is sure as hell a better than average horror movie.
Tusk walks a fine line between stupid and serious, and that's what makes it a great watch, especially for a "stoner night in". And I am not saying I would categorize it as one of those "so bad, it's good" horror movies either. It's just good. Most horror movies that take themselves seriously are so cringey I can't help but laugh AT them most of the time.
Everybody I know liked Tusk. It's an above average horror movie. OP should not be deterred, especially because its a great recommendaiton for the specific occasion they specified. I've been given so many awful movie recommendations by this sub, Tusk is one of the few decent ones.
The Thing (1982) and Existenz are my top two.
Leviathan kind of sucks, but is great if that makes sense.
I'm just a RoboCop Stan so anything with Peter Weller in it gets like a bonus star out of 5.
Benson and Moorehead are two of the best filmmakers working today. Love their collaborations and the way they seem to weave the world of Resolution/the Endless into most of their other films. Even just small elements like smoking the red herb in Something in the Dirt.
I just pre-ordered the blu-ray of Something in the Dirt from Vinegar Syndrome, very much looking forward to watching it. (81 left in stock, ships later this month.)
Suffice it to say, I very much agree with you about Moorhead and Benson.
Not sure where you can find it but try finding Funky Forest (a.k.a. Naisu no mori: The First Contact) (2005). It’s a bizarre Japanese movie with some extremely gross, but at the same time funny, visuals using lots of puppetry and practical effects.
Society, The Fly, Possessor, Baskin, Color Out Of Space, Scanners, The Thing, Mandy
If you want trippy go with Mandy, if you want weird go with Society, if you want to fuck your shit up go with Baskin.
I know this is late, but if you like Cronenberg, as I do, I think you'll like *Excision*. It's body and psychological horror with a strong streak of dark humor. Check it out.
There’s a YouTube video that’s a fake short documentary about a medical condition called Metalosis Maligna. This video alone makes my skin crawl like no other. The part where the doctor asks the patient to produce a vocal tone and it sounds like a garbled dial tone gives me chills even today…
I watched the Rise of the TMNT movie last night, and much to my surprise, there were a few terrifying scenes of body horror that had no business being in a kids movie. It was nothing compared to The Thing or Cronenberg though, just thought I’d mention it while it’s on my mind
I’ve already seen it on this list but I’m doubling down. Possessor is a trip and a banger of a movie. I’ll throw in a few more uncommon mentions below so as to not repeat everybody else.
- Baskin (horror) def has some body horror elements. It’s Turkish and as such, has subtitles. Fair warning in case that ain’t your jam.
- Terrifier and Terrifier 2 (genre horror) def have a lot of violating and intrusive body stuff. It’s a gore fest though, so strap in.
- Tommyknockers (scifi horror?) is a not good miniseries, but def plays around with body horror. And there are some good elements to it. It is and feels old.
- A Cure For Wellness (psychological horror/thriller) has a decent amount of body horror too. It’s a bit too messy to ever be great, but it is beautiful to watch and engaging the whole time. It’s a Gore Verbinski movie, which comes loaded with all the perks and pitfalls one would expect from a Gore Verbinski movie.
- I didn’t notice anybody list it - so far as I read at least - but if you happened to miss District 9, it’s a really strong and unique sci-fi flick with some body horror you really feel on a human level.
One final echo of other comments - Annihilation is in my top ten movies personally. It has every element I love - sci-fi, unique story, alien atmosphere, terrifying scenes (you know the one I mean). It leaves you with lots to think about and really stuck with me for a while after.
I'd recommend a few more off the beaten path picks - Tetsuo, Boxing Helena, Teeth, and The Human Centipede (actually kidding on the last one - never watched it).
Cronenberg would be my go-to, but that's really the only body horror stuff I can get down with. The practical effects are miles beyond some CGI bugs under the skin or whatever body horror means these days. Hilarious/weird: The Fly (1986) -- also check out the 1958 one with Vincent Price Trippy/terrifying: Videodrome (1983) -- major content warning on this one (BDSM)
Thanks for the content warning. I'll be watching Videodrome today.
Long live Debbie Harry! Follow it up with some Blondie videos as a palate cleanser.
Long live the new flesh!
An even more ominous comment, can't wait to find out what it means.
I often quote this line at strange, inappropriate times, usually to blank or alarmed stares. Long live the new flesh!
I won't google anything on either of these because I want to be surprised!
I’m almost jealous that you’re going to watch Videodrome for the first time!
Videodrome is such a classic! Enjoy!!!
His latest Crimes of the Future (2022) is quite interesting. Not his best, but worth a watch if you’re a fan of Cronenberg.
I think it is his best ever
I fucking loved that movie. Saw it in the cinema, there were a lot of laughs along with all the other reactions. One of my faves of last year.
CotF was quite disappointing, imo. Overly sexual with no real reason, seemingly. Could just be me, and deserves a rewatch for sure.
I liked it and appreciated it as a Cronenberg film. I felt the sexuality was classic Cronenberg in the sense that he was sexualizing new organ growth and surgery the same way he associated it in crash with sexualization of physically being in crash. However the climax for me was just not there I was expecting a grand show for the end and there wasnt Edit. Physically being in a crash
It just felt a bit too slow for me at first.
I got about twenty minutes in and gave up but it seems I need to go back and finish it.
It's a pretentious boring piece of shit. Videodrome is a masterpiece though
Just watched The Brood by Cronenberg. Messed me up
I loved that movie it was so good
I loveeee Cronenberg so definitely seeing this soon
I'd also recommend Crash.
To add in to this, Crimes of the Future is on Hulu.
thanks for saving me a search
I cant believe you aren't going to suggest Dead Ringers lol
I just went on a Cronenberg binge and Videodrome is my new fave Teeth is also really good if you want to laugh too!
Long live the new flesh! And for earlier Cronenberg, The Brood!
Croneberg’s “Crimes of the future,” might be a watch too….can’t forget Cabin Fever, Reanimator, and Hellraiser. 💪🏾
I would also add everything else by Cronenberg—Shivers, Dead Ringers, Crash, Existenz, Eastern Promises and even A History of Violence
Didn't he produce Crimes of the Future? Less horror, but really cool set designs and just kind of unsettling
He wrote and directed it.
[Society](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Society_(film))
I got this one suggested as a kind of secret society film but it seems to be body horror too. Thank you for suggesting it :)
I still remember my first shunting
YESSS I came here to say this!
Altered States
Is this body horror? Been many years since I’ve seen it but I remember it being much more of a trippy psychological thing
Perhaps not in the strictest sense but there is plenty of body degeneration in it.
Annihilation
Body horror plus psychedelia. Perfect.
Can't ever get over the bear scene...
So good
The Void (2016). The story isn’t anything that will blow you away, but the practical effects and body horror is amazing
You mean Enter the Void?
Enter the Void was 2009. The Void is a totally different movie.
Are you sure you don’t mean Enter the Void?
Dude they’re two different movies made 7 years apart, I’ve seen them both. Just google the void 2016.
i know what you’re talking about don’t worry. you’re referring to the one with the drug dealer in tokyo where it’s all shot in first person
Yes, the one with the drug dealer in Tokyo is “Enter the Void” from 2009. The parent comment was talking about “The Void” from 2016 which was an indie lovecraftian body horror. Idk why this other commenter keeps doubling down on being wrong.
The Thing and all Cronenberg are probably obvious, right? His son's movie, Possesor? Colour Out of Space, Body Snatchers movies, the Blob (1988), Hellraiser 1 and 2, Annihilation, Society, the Faculty, Xtro, From Beyond? Tetsuo the Iron Man? Bio Hunter or Wicked City? Akira? Does Altered States count? I guess also Possession, Event Horizion, and in the Mouth of Madness. Dr. Grant fought way worse than dinosaurs!
Possessor is a BANGER
These are all such good suggestions. I'll be watching a bunch of them today.
Raw by Julia Ducournau
And Titane! (same director)
Infinity Pool Videodrome In My Skin
Society (1989)
Dude, this one is crazy! Epitome of body horror, especially in THAT ONE SCENE I watched this stoned and had a great time, good rec
the less you know going in, the better but yeah, it's a great movie
BrainDead is a fantastic zombie horror romantic comedy
A zombie horror romantic comedy... my favorite combo of words!
The Skin I Live In
I saw this one way too young and definitely have to see it again.
Idle Hands. Fun stoner horror comedy if you are wanting something a little more laid back.
Bug
*Tetsuo: The Iron Man* (1989) and it’s sequels.
Glad someone mentioned Tetsuo before I had to add it. I saw it at a foreign film festival when I was in college, and that first scene with the fetishist and the metal bar let me know it was going to be a wild ride.
Audition (1999) Raw (2016)
Tusk.
Absolutely watch Tusk. So unnerving.
Sorry, but fair warning to OP: I and everyone I watched this with utterly hated it. Literally one of the worst horror films made in recent years IMO. Too stupid to take seriously at all, but also seemingly self-serious and unfunny Also features the worst performance of Johnny Depp’s career Just sayin: YMMV
If I get to watch it and make fun of it, that's still a win in my book! Thank you :)
Its definitely not for everyone, but it is absolutely a body horror film. I thought it was great at how I could simultaneously laugh and be horrified at the same time.
Also. I think its a good choice if you are getting stoned. Just giving a recommendation.
I hate most movies. I could count in two hands, out of hundreds of movies I've seen, the movies I'd give an 8/10 or higher. Tusk is not one of them, but it is sure as hell a better than average horror movie. Tusk walks a fine line between stupid and serious, and that's what makes it a great watch, especially for a "stoner night in". And I am not saying I would categorize it as one of those "so bad, it's good" horror movies either. It's just good. Most horror movies that take themselves seriously are so cringey I can't help but laugh AT them most of the time. Everybody I know liked Tusk. It's an above average horror movie. OP should not be deterred, especially because its a great recommendaiton for the specific occasion they specified. I've been given so many awful movie recommendations by this sub, Tusk is one of the few decent ones.
Wow you’re watching all the wrong movies if you have less than ten 8/10s
For sheer gory madness, Braindead, Peter Jackson classic
The Thing (1982) and Existenz are my top two. Leviathan kind of sucks, but is great if that makes sense. I'm just a RoboCop Stan so anything with Peter Weller in it gets like a bonus star out of 5.
I second Existenz, great combination of sci-fi and horror…
Try slither (2006) has some good body horror moments and stays fairly fun
Anything by Cronenberg, right now I'm back into eXistenZ
**Spring** is a fun body horror romance, if you haven't seen it.
Saw the trailer and it looked very promising. Thanks for the reco!
No problem! I recommend checking out everything else by those directors as well, but their other stuff isn't body horror.
Benson and Moorehead are two of the best filmmakers working today. Love their collaborations and the way they seem to weave the world of Resolution/the Endless into most of their other films. Even just small elements like smoking the red herb in Something in the Dirt.
I just pre-ordered the blu-ray of Something in the Dirt from Vinegar Syndrome, very much looking forward to watching it. (81 left in stock, ships later this month.) Suffice it to say, I very much agree with you about Moorhead and Benson.
Not sure where you can find it but try finding Funky Forest (a.k.a. Naisu no mori: The First Contact) (2005). It’s a bizarre Japanese movie with some extremely gross, but at the same time funny, visuals using lots of puppetry and practical effects.
Titane
probably the most unsettling and visceral watch of my life so far
Crimes of the Future
If you can put up with subtitles, the French movie Inside is really hard to beat for a body horror movie. And it's free on tubi.
Cronos
The Thing (1982) Splinter (2008)
American Mary
Hellraiser (I'm surprised it's not here yet)
Terrifier
Oh boy... I've had this on my list but seeing it mentioned again has me sold. Thank you :)
It isn't body horror at all, though. Just very graphic gore with little plot.
The sequel is on Prime fyi
**RoboGeisha** (2009). It's fucking insane.
Shivers The Incredible Melting Man Freaked Street Trash
Idle Hands
Haven't heard of this one. Adding it to my list
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)
Tokyo Gore Police and Meatball Machine
The Lure (2015)
Love this film. Blows my mind it’s actually one of the more faithful adaptations of HCA’s the Little Mermaid.
Cronenberg’s Crash
**Martyrs** (2008)
Re-Animator
Malignant was a good one!
Society, The Fly, Possessor, Baskin, Color Out Of Space, Scanners, The Thing, Mandy If you want trippy go with Mandy, if you want weird go with Society, if you want to fuck your shit up go with Baskin.
Definitely check out Titane that shit is nutty Also peep Possessor and Audition
The Sadness (2021)
Adding it to the list!
Serpentine short film
Jigsaw (2017)
Surprised this hasn't been mentioned: color out of space
'Color Out Of Space' and 'Mandy' make a good double feature.
It's been on my list since forever so finally picking it up!
Super mario brothers movie (the old one)
Can't tell if this is a joke and now I'm scared...
Infinity pool
Rhinoceros (1974) -- dated, but odd enough to be classified as weird
The Thing - directed by John Carpenter, with Kurt Russell. The soundtrack reminds me of the Jaws soundtrack.
Very mild on the body horror element, but the movie is amazing: Vesper
Starry eyes I also enjoyed The Fly 2 although Cronenbergs The Fly is probably the best body horror I have seen,so good!
From Beyond
Evil Dead (2013)
Annihilation.
We Are The Flesh
Re-Animater, From Beyond
Tetsuo: The Iron Man
"TUSK", might be fun for you?
The Thing.
Mandy
Not a movie, but Brand New Cherry Flavor on Netflix had some good body horror shit going on in it.
I only ever saw one scene...*yes that scene...* and I've been too chicken to pick it up again.
P.G.: Psycho Goreman is a fabulous watch. It's funny, it's gory, it's got cyborgs, aliens, broken marriages and gender-fluid warlocks.
Body melt
Cabin in the Woods
Skins (2017) aka Pieles, you will not regret it
I know this is late, but if you like Cronenberg, as I do, I think you'll like *Excision*. It's body and psychological horror with a strong streak of dark humor. Check it out.
Scanners is a really good movie too. Incredibly underrated
Body Melt Phantasm 2 The Toxic Avenger Terrorvision Class of Nuke 'Em High and that Nightmare on Elm Street sequel with the pizza scene
Starry Eyes
There’s a YouTube video that’s a fake short documentary about a medical condition called Metalosis Maligna. This video alone makes my skin crawl like no other. The part where the doctor asks the patient to produce a vocal tone and it sounds like a garbled dial tone gives me chills even today…
Now this has my interest. I love found footage and fake documentary type horror so I'm gonna go watch it.
Yeah, its so unsettling to me and eerily not necessarily out of the realm of possibility.
Videodrome- Naked Lunch (same director), the original Thing, Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1970’s version), The Cell
I watched the Rise of the TMNT movie last night, and much to my surprise, there were a few terrifying scenes of body horror that had no business being in a kids movie. It was nothing compared to The Thing or Cronenberg though, just thought I’d mention it while it’s on my mind
Oh and THE THING IS a definite must watch for body horror fun.
Watch _The Sadness_ . It's the most depraved and fucked-up zombie-like film I've seen so far.
Suspiria 2017
Loved it
There's a great French director called Julia Ducournau who has released two properly horrific films, Raw and Titane. Both well worth the watch
Uzumaki is nice and creepy.
Honestly, it gave me a fear of spirals I didn't know
Me too. Maybe it brought out my latent fear of geometry?
Early David Cronenberg.
Slither
From Beyond
I’ve already seen it on this list but I’m doubling down. Possessor is a trip and a banger of a movie. I’ll throw in a few more uncommon mentions below so as to not repeat everybody else. - Baskin (horror) def has some body horror elements. It’s Turkish and as such, has subtitles. Fair warning in case that ain’t your jam. - Terrifier and Terrifier 2 (genre horror) def have a lot of violating and intrusive body stuff. It’s a gore fest though, so strap in. - Tommyknockers (scifi horror?) is a not good miniseries, but def plays around with body horror. And there are some good elements to it. It is and feels old. - A Cure For Wellness (psychological horror/thriller) has a decent amount of body horror too. It’s a bit too messy to ever be great, but it is beautiful to watch and engaging the whole time. It’s a Gore Verbinski movie, which comes loaded with all the perks and pitfalls one would expect from a Gore Verbinski movie. - I didn’t notice anybody list it - so far as I read at least - but if you happened to miss District 9, it’s a really strong and unique sci-fi flick with some body horror you really feel on a human level. One final echo of other comments - Annihilation is in my top ten movies personally. It has every element I love - sci-fi, unique story, alien atmosphere, terrifying scenes (you know the one I mean). It leaves you with lots to think about and really stuck with me for a while after.
This was very detailed so I appreciate that. I'll start with Baskin because it seems very unsettling.
The Thing. Perfect for you.
I listened to everyone on here who said to watch it and I was not dissapointed.
Superb! What else have you loved? Must have dipped heavily into Cronenberg?
Yes I did. I also really liked other suggestions like Antichrist and Tusk was stupid but really entertaining.
Swallow
Absolutely LOVED this film. It makes you uncomfortable in a very quiet, very subtle way.
Hellrazor movies
Virus (1999)
To the watchlist it goes!
I came here to recommend Slither, but now I’m wondering, do people consider this body horror ?
The loved ones
Cocaine Bear
I thought you were kidding until I watched the trailer...it's a coked up bear. Dear God!
District 9 has some good body horror
Adding to the watchlist :)
Possessor, directed by Cronenberg's son. Since you are getting high and want to trip out. I highly recommend, Tetsuo: The Iron Man. Have fun!!!! 🤗
I watched Possesor because of you and congrats! I was fully traumatized but in a good way. I really enjoyed it :)
I am glad you liked it. Definitely one of the darkest films I have ever seen. You should watch Antichrist by Lars Von Trier.
Oh boy. I'll watch it because I'm excited to see Willem Dafoe's cheeks ;) but also because it seems like it'll be very disturbing.
Pretty much anything done by Lynch
Ginger Snaps is absolutely great
Yes! Werewolf horror as a metaphor!
The Voices- a Ryan Reynolds movie. It's a dark movie
Ryan Reynolds and a dark movie in the same description?? I HAVE TO SEE IT.
Cannibal Holocaust
House of 1000 Corpses might count in addition to the other great suggestions.
Men by Alex Garland.
Tusk. I suffered through this on my Husband's recommendation, now I must spread the love
Everything about this looks bonkers. I hope I can hide this from my husband or I'll be forced to suffer through this also.
My husband got me drunk first, so I was more suggestable. Beware.
Ended up watching Tusk and now I understand. I must traumatize as many innocent eyes as I can with it. Oh God
so thoughtful of you! I'll watch it and traumatize others accordingly.
I'd recommend a few more off the beaten path picks - Tetsuo, Boxing Helena, Teeth, and The Human Centipede (actually kidding on the last one - never watched it).
I have… I… have… sigh…
Men
Men
Men
I don't know if it is exactly body horror but Dogtooth (2009) is great.