The Fly (1986)
Where to Watch
- The original script for The Fly was written over a decade before production finally began in 1986.
- Before Jeff Goldblum was cast, several major A-list stars turned down the lead role because they felt the script was too risky.
- Many of the practical effects used in the climax were achieved without any CGI.
The Fly is a 1986 American science fiction body horror film directed by David Cronenberg, a reimagining of the 1958 original. Jeff Goldblum stars as Seth Brundle, a brilliant, eccentric scientist who has invented a teleportation device. When Seth tests the machine on himself, a common housefly enters the telepod unnoticed, and the computer merges Seth and the fly's DNA at the molecular level.
Over the following weeks, Seth undergoes a horrifying, gradual transformation โ initially experiencing superhuman strength, agility, and sexual energy before his body deteriorates into something increasingly inhuman, his teeth and fingernails falling out, his skin becoming translucent, and his dietary habits turning stomach-churning. David Cronenberg, the master of body horror, created what many consider his masterpiece โ Seth's transformation was a devastatingly effective metaphor for terminal illness, aging, and the horror of watching someone you love become unrecognizable. Jeff Goldblum's performance was heartbreaking, particularly as Seth's mind deteriorated alongside his body.
The Fly earned $60 million worldwide on a $15 million budget.
