Videodrome (1983)

80% of critics liked it
(44 reviews)
79% of users liked it
(37,352 ratings)

Hardcore pornography, sadomasochism, mind control, and living televisions all play crucial roles in Videodrome, one of director David Cronenberg's explorations of dangerous sexuality and technological obsession. The morally questionable hero of the tale is one Max Renn (James Woods), a television… More Hardcore pornography, sadomasochism, mind control, and living televisions all play crucial roles in Videodrome, one of director David Cronenberg's explorations of dangerous sexuality and technological obsession. The morally questionable hero of the tale is one Max Renn (James Woods), a television executive searching for an intense new program for his sex-oriented network. He ultimately discovers an underground program called "Videodrome," which appears to broadcast pornographic snuff films of actual murders. Horrified but perversely intrigued, Renn sets out to find the truth behind the program. During his search, he meets alluring femme fatale Nicki (Blondie lead singer Debbie Harry), technology cult leader Bianca O'Blivion, and other mysterious figures. Things become even more disturbing for Renn as his addiction grows, and the program begins to infect the outside world -- or perhaps merely destroy own his sanity. Cronenberg mingles his cerebral concerns about the nature of reality in the video age with enough visceral gore (courtesy of Rick Baker) to satisfy the film's intended horror audience. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 29 min.
Directed By: David Cronenberg
Written By: David Cronenberg
Genres: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Horror

In Theaters: Feb 4, 1983 Wide
On DVD: Sep 8, 1998

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
Film is dotted with video jargon and ideology which proves more fascinating than distancing. And Cronenberg amplifies the freaky situation with a series of stunning visual effects.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
Never coherent and frequently pretentious, the film remains an audacious attempt to place obsessive personal images before a popular audience -- a kind of Kenneth Anger version of Star Wars.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
Though Videodrome finally grows grotesque and a little confused, it begins very well and sustains its cleverness for a long while.
Ian Berriman, SFX Magazine
Simultaneously sleazy and cerebral, it's a film whose surrealist setpieces burn a brand on the brain.
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
...an intriguing, deeply interesting film that over the course of almost three decades has acquired a prescient quality, but it's also schlock; a kind of cyberpunk rewrite of Network that indulges Cronenberg's taste for venereal horror.
Scott Weinberg, FEARnet
There's little denying that Cronenberg was way ahead of his time with much of Videodrome.
Chris Cabin, Slant Magazine
Long Live the New Flesh!!!
Sean Axmaker, Seanax.com
... Videodrome is as contemporary and relevant as ever.
Lucius Gore, ESplatter
[I]t stands out as one of Cronenberg's very best.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
David Cronenberg's most visionary and audacious film up to the time of its making, Videodrome is a fascinating rumination on humanity, technology, entertainment, sex, and politics that is virtually incomprehensible on first viewing.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Veers from being risible to sinister as it explores how viewers are brainwashed by TV.
Staci Layne Wilson, About.com
Videodrome is arguably one of Cronenberg's best horror films, and it holds up brilliantly.
, Time Out
There are distinct signs of strain in the plot convolutions, not least in the spectator's loss of faith over indiscriminate and cheating use of hallucination; what certainly survives is Cronenberg's wholesale disgust with the world in general.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
The director captures the worst-case scenario of what might happen at the dawn of the video era, going all the way back to our parents' warning us not to sit too close to the television.
Tim Appelo, Seattle Weekly
Underbaked, but you can't argue with its otherworldly aura. One disappointment: we don't get to see the belly-slit sex organs Baker designed for the never-used orgy finale.

Read all 15 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Dan S

A well-paced, competently acted study on society's obsession with violence and sex on television, and what if catharsis was released on a more physical front, and the results that follow. David Cronenberg, the master of body horror, churns out another successful, memorable film,… More
A well-paced, competently acted study on society's obsession with violence and sex on television, and what if catharsis was released on a more physical front, and the results that follow. David Cronenberg, the master of body horror, churns out another successful, memorable film, thanks mostly to the surreal-like atmosphere he implements that keeps the viewer constantly guessing if, like the lead character (James Woods), what you are seeing is real or a nightmare. It gets a little silly and full of itself near the conclusion, but begs a lot of interesting questions that can not be ignored. Woods' fine turn helps anchor the story to port, even in the shaky last 1/3.
Johnny D. H

I'm not usually into this kind of cinematic filth, but this was almost tolerable.
Graham J

Videodrome is David Cronenberg's masterpiece. It features amazing special effects and great performances from James Woods and Debbie Harry.
Melvin W

Max Renn: I'm looking for something that'll... break through. You know? "First it controls your mind... then it destroys your body" Videodrome is quite the experience. After being less than impressed with the first two movies I saw from Cronenberg; I expected… More
Max Renn: I'm looking for something that'll... break through. You know? "First it controls your mind... then it destroys your body" Videodrome is quite the experience. After being less than impressed with the first two movies I saw from Cronenberg; I expected more of the same from this. I finally saw why Cronenberg is highly respected. This is a great concept that is incredibly well-made and doesn't make the mistake of overstaying its welcome. James Woods gives a really strong performance as Max Renn. The plot is really cool. It centers on Max Renn, a tv executive who is looking for the next best thing in sexual fantasy. He believes he has found it when he watches a pirated clip of Videodrome. It's violent and thinks the public will like it; so he tries to find out as much about it as he can. That's when the "normal" ends and the surreal begins. My favorite thing about this movie was how it wasn't made in a straightforward way, yet it wasn't confusing. It had its share of twists and unreal sections, but it never got to the point where it was too confusing for its own good. A fantastic movie from the 80's that is sure to please fans of horror and psychological thrillers. It's made with a very inspired and authentic feel to it, which just adds to the experience of it all. This movie definitely is going to make me want to watch more Cronenberg.
Austen R

Okay, it's good news/bad new time again. The Good News: Videodrome is a flawless movie that exposes (and fuses) society's infatuation with technology, infatuation with sex, and infatuation with violence. The Bad News: It's being remade and modernized... And… More
Okay, it's good news/bad new time again. The Good News: Videodrome is a flawless movie that exposes (and fuses) society's infatuation with technology, infatuation with sex, and infatuation with violence. The Bad News: It's being remade and modernized... And it's being written by the man who wrote Revenge Of The Fallen... Fuck Me. (I could praise the movie in greater detail... but I kiss Cronenberg's ass enough.) It's a perfect 100%...
Tsubaki S

The new flesh is now a reality, but it became the internet.
Reid V

Prescient, powerful, perplexing, and just plain Cronenberg. Very ahead of its time and perfect for anybody who needed a visual aid to technology's rape of humanity.
Tim S

An absolute twisted nightmare of brilliance.
AJ V

I love this movie, it's my favourite from Cronenberg, and I highly recommend it. It's so weird, gory, and freaky that it's just brilliant. I wrote a paper on it for a class once, I love it so much.
Jeff "

David Cronenberg is the master of Bizarre cinema. He's Canada's answer to David Lynch. Many of his 80's films deal with the body horror genre. Videodrome is one the director's most sinister works. Like with every other Cronenberg film of this period, The film… More
David Cronenberg is the master of Bizarre cinema. He's Canada's answer to David Lynch. Many of his 80's films deal with the body horror genre. Videodrome is one the director's most sinister works. Like with every other Cronenberg film of this period, The film dwells on Cronenbergs favorite subject. The special fx here are incredible and Rick Baker's fx are one of the best aspects of Videodrome. This is one of Cronenberg's most inventive films and he delivers something astounding. Videodrome is a nightmare, it's strange, it's whatever word you need to use to describe it. If you want one of David Croneberg's most solid films. Then give this one a viewing. Videodrome is in my opinion one of Cronenberg's greatest Achievements as a director. The film is the type of film that shatters your nerves and twists your imagination in every ways you can imagine. The film is haunting, chilling and downright disturbing. Videodrome has everything you'd expect from a David Cronenberg film. The film surrounds a local television station owner, who specializes in providing a sleazy viewing experience then stumbles on Videodrome, a channel that shows graphic torture and mutilation. It's not long after that, that Max Renn starts to hallucinate as Videodrome controls his mind. Videodrome is a solid Horror Sci Fi film, and is everything you'd hope from Cronenberg. Videodrome is a great film that showcases David Cronenberg's directing abilities to a whole new level of deranged genius. Also this film has some awesome special effects work done by Rick Baker and James Woods is excellent as sleazy TV Station owner Max Renn. Long live the new flesh indeed.
Eric S

"Television is reality, and reality is less than television." Max Renn(James Woods) is a sleazy president of Civic Channel 83 which shows softcore pornography and some violent material. He is always on the lookout for new cheap, erotic films for his station in this 1983… More
"Television is reality, and reality is less than television." Max Renn(James Woods) is a sleazy president of Civic Channel 83 which shows softcore pornography and some violent material. He is always on the lookout for new cheap, erotic films for his station in this 1983 David Cronenberg disturbing yet watchable classic. When his employee decodes a pirate video broadcast showing torture, murder, and mutilation(Videodrome), Max becomes obsessed with acquiring this series for his channel. Max's sado-masochistic girlfriend Nicki Brand portrayed by Deborah Harry a.k.a Blondie goes to Pittburgh,PA to audition for this series which is very much to her twisted liking. As Max learns more and more about this particular snuff broadcast, it becomes clear that what he's dealing with is much more than a television program. "Long live the new flesh".
Randy T

As a film maker, Cronenberg reminds me a lot of David Lynch. Both think far outside the box and neither would let little things like good taste, conventional wisdom or the laws of nature stand in the way of making a great film.
Chris W

One of the craziest and creepiest mindfuck type of movies I've ever seen. This is a really interesting and original idea. I liked it, but jeepers is this movie creepy and disturbing. I'm definitely gonna have some more interesting than normal dreams now, and that's… More
One of the craziest and creepiest mindfuck type of movies I've ever seen. This is a really interesting and original idea. I liked it, but jeepers is this movie creepy and disturbing. I'm definitely gonna have some more interesting than normal dreams now, and that's saying something.
Conner R

A completely bizarre take on the power and future of television. It takes the idea of brainwashing to an entirely new level. James Woods was a great character who could be serious, but also lighten the mood when necessary. This is definitely groundbreaking for its time, undoubtedly… More
A completely bizarre take on the power and future of television. It takes the idea of brainwashing to an entirely new level. James Woods was a great character who could be serious, but also lighten the mood when necessary. This is definitely groundbreaking for its time, undoubtedly the basis for movies like The Matrix. David Cronenberg's style makes absurd ideas very real and sometimes frightening.
Michael G

Videodrome straddles the line between sociological commentary about the media, where its going, etc and early era David Cronenberg that's so fucked up even if for no other reason than the sake of pure entertainment. The hallucinations are twisted and worthwhile, the story's… More
Videodrome straddles the line between sociological commentary about the media, where its going, etc and early era David Cronenberg that's so fucked up even if for no other reason than the sake of pure entertainment. The hallucinations are twisted and worthwhile, the story's smart enough to justify any missteps that Cronenberg may have made and a naked Debbie Harry never hurts. At least it wasn't in 1983. The acting's a tad weak at times, James Woods' vagina-stomach had me scratching my head and I fell asleep twice before I managed to finally get through the whole thing. Videodrome is worth the time but not the effort...
Anthony L

Unforgettable and disturbing sci-fi/horror! Classic Cronenberg.
David S

If I viewed my film collection like they were artifacts in a museum, Videodrome would be in a glass case in the most lavish wing. Not just because of how good it is but because I've only ever seen the one copy and as soon as I did, I snapped it up. Not very commonly talked about,… More
If I viewed my film collection like they were artifacts in a museum, Videodrome would be in a glass case in the most lavish wing. Not just because of how good it is but because I've only ever seen the one copy and as soon as I did, I snapped it up. Not very commonly talked about, it's perhaps one of the rarest films I own. But anyway, on to the review. Max Renn (James Woods, a cinematic great) is looking for new programs for his station, something much more sensationalistic than he's already being showing (mostly softcore pornography). He stumbles upon Videodrome, a program that consists of people getting tortured then killed. Max becomes obsessed with this program, to the point where he starts hallucinating. To say anymore would give away important details about the final act. Suffice it to say, it's quite bizarre. But then, it's Cronenberg so that's no surprise. This is the first film I've seen with Woods in a leading role and it baffles me why he isn't seen in more these days. I found him out through voice overs, mostly cameos/supporting roles as himself, in shows like The Simpsons and Family Guy (coincidentally, his first appearance on Family Guy mentioned this movie) and the film Hercules. I would later finally see him in a live action performance (Riding In Cars With Boys) but to see him do the movie mostly on his own, it just reaffirms my notion that he's been overlooked. Maybe it's what he wants, to avoid the major spotlight and do character roles. If he does, well, more power to him. Just so long as he keeps making films. (Slight spoilers below) One of the greatest things about this movie is the special effects. They make even some CGI effects look like crap (League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen, I'm looking at your Mr. Hyde here) and really add to the atmosphere. You have video tapes pulsating, stomachs gaining openings for video tapes (told you it was that kind of movie) and a hand literally becoming a handgun. And what would an early Cronenberg film without someone's head "asploding"? Rick Baker was the genius behind most if not all of the effects. If he didn't win some kind of award for his work, it's just one more reason to give up on award ceremonies. Thematically, the film explores our relationship with television, with our obsession with what it does to us, where it's taking us. The message I picked up, however, ties in with the old adage "forbidden fruit is sweetest". To that end, my interpretation of the message is "Pursue forbidden fruit and the person holding it will use you to their own gains". Again, I can't say too much without giving away the final act, which has made this such a hard movie to review due to its cult-like status. I understand the film will be getting a remake in 2011. Whether or not it should or could be remade remains to be seen. However, if it does bring attention to the original, I give a thumbs up to the discussion at the very least. Keep the talks going, get this film in the public consciousness!!
Luke B

Cronenberg's disturbing but intelligent mind is brought to life in a visually original film. Videodrome is a disturbing social commentary, one that may be in a dated setting, but still holds relevance. It questions the moral responsibility held by broadcasters, but also our… More
Cronenberg's disturbing but intelligent mind is brought to life in a visually original film. Videodrome is a disturbing social commentary, one that may be in a dated setting, but still holds relevance. It questions the moral responsibility held by broadcasters, but also our responsibility as viewers. The twisted nature of the Videodrome can be likened to today's reality TV madness. Woods is exceptional in his role, a man whom has his reality questioned by what he sees, and what he sees becomes reality. Wonderful effects bring it all to startling life and it's message is a caution rather than a preachy "Do this, don't do that". Plus vagina stomachs just have to be seen.
Aaron N

Barry Convex: You'll forgive me if I don't stay around to watch. I just can't cope with the freaky stuff. A weird and graphic horror/mystery from director David Cronenberg. The film stars James Woods as a cable TV operator who begins to hallucinate following his… More
Barry Convex: You'll forgive me if I don't stay around to watch. I just can't cope with the freaky stuff. A weird and graphic horror/mystery from director David Cronenberg. The film stars James Woods as a cable TV operator who begins to hallucinate following his experience with a sick media program known as Videodrome. This program turns out to be a front for something bigger and Woods' character is caught right in the middle. I can't say this film isn't creative, but much of it is just too weird, and I consider myself pretty open minded. The effects are pretty cool, but I really didn't get into this movie. Max Renn: Have you been hallucinating lately? Harlan: No. Should I be? Max Renn: Yes, you should be.
Drew S

I totally dug this and I have a ton to say about it but I also have a splitting headache so now it is time for sleep.