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Rick Herbst, Gordon MacDonald, Jennifer Lowry, Theo Barnes, Lucille Saint-Peter ... see more see more... , Vicki Darnell , Kevin Van Hentenryck , Michael Bishop , Beverly Downer , Angel Figueroa , Joe Gonzales , Don Henenlotter , Kenneth Packard , Artemis Pizzaro , John Reichert , Bradlee Rhodes , Ari M. Roussimoff , Michael Rubenstein , Slam Wedgehouse , Rick Hearst , Beverly Bonner

Basket Case director Frank Henenlotter explores another bizarre symbiotic human-monster relationship in this surreal horror comedy about a young man named Brian (Rick Herbst) who emerges from a night ... read more read more...of bizarre hallucinations to find a jovial talking slug attached to his body. The creature, a brain-eating parasite called an "Aylmer" (but who prefers the simpler handle "Elmer") came calling after abandoning his former companions -- a European couple who tried to wean him from human brains by supplying him with sheep brains from the local butcher. Preferring prey of the bipedal variety (and a younger, more mobile host), Elmer hitches a ride with Brian, administering doses of a highly addictive psychedelic drug to keep him under control, and sends him out in search of human gray matter. Understandably, this drives a wedge in the relationship between Brian and his girlfriend, Barbara (Jennifer Lowry), who doesn't buy the monster story but nevertheless begins to recognize Brian's junkie behavior patterns. Fighting a losing battle against Elmer's magic juice (and trying to keep Elmer from munching down on Barbara's skull), Brian is forced into a hideous showdown for possession of his own mind. Clever highlights include horror host John Zacherle as the Bing Crosby-esque voice of Elmer and a cute cameo from Basket boy Kevin Van Hentenryck. ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi

Flixster Users

60% liked it

4,780 ratings

Critics

70% liked it

10 critics

R, 1 hr. 29 min.

Directed by: Frank Henenlotter

Release Date: November 11, 1995

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DVD Release Date: July 22, 2003

Stats: 254 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (254)

  • fb500439213
    October 6, 2011
    fb500439213
    Truly psychedelic and bizarrely compelling, Frank Henenlotter's talent is transforming high-concept, speculative horror into social commentary much like Romero. This is his anti-drug cautionary tale but it is never heavy-handed. The scenes of Brian's sensory overload are so vivid... read more that we understand why he will accept Aylmer's parasitic requests. The theme sounds like 'The X-Files' cribbed it. For such a howlingly funny B-movie, there is a melancholy overcast over it such as the withdrawal contest between Brian and Aylmer in which Brian becomes more haggard by the hour while Aylmer taunts him that "he will do all the thinking" for him from now on. 'Brain Damage' is a hidden horror gem.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    June 8, 2010
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Brain Damage is one awesome Horror Comedy. It's a very original film by the director of Basket Case. Brain Dame is a metaphor for drug addiction, and Frank Henenlotter story is rich with the 80's drug culture, as he presents the drug ravaged streets of New York in the 80's. The f... read moreilm is a very creative work of Horror Comedy and has some very inventive scenes that are probably the best,m most absurd that has ever been put on film fora horror film. Brain Damage is a terrific film from Henenlotter and is on par with his previous effort, Basket Case. However even though this film is not for everyone, if you like films like Basket Case, you're sure to love this one. And if you're lucky, you can buy the limited edition of the film that has been limited to 50,000 units and is now out of print. A terrific, original film, Juice me up! this is one addictive film.
  • FiLmCrAzY
    May 5, 2010
    FiLmCrAzY
    i couldnt even finish this movie!
    the idea, storylne acting, and everything about this movie is just terrible!!
    its unbearable to watch so i didnt finsh it!!!
  • SirPant
    October 1, 2009
    SirPant
    Another Frank Henenlotter classic! Not as good as Frankenhooker but a little bit better than Basket Case. A must for Comedy/Horror fans!
  • staindslaved
    January 7, 2012
    staindslaved
    Brian Damage is an excellent (although obvious) allegory to the dangers of drug-use set against a fascinating and gory creature feature backdrop. Frank Henenlotter's follow-up to the equally great Basket Case (even has a brief cameo) gives us a brain parasite with hypnotic blue ... read morejuice, and an equally hypnotic speaking and singing voice, who consumes human brains. If you can, watch the uncut version. It contains a fantastic fellatio scene, where the creatures substitutes for a male member, and the extra scenes (and gore) really contribute to the grim yet entertaining plot. Excellent haunting, dream-like score envelopes the entire production. Strong recommendation for people who enjoy original and challenging cinema.
  • Naesssal
    August 7, 2009
    Naesssal
    As horror comedies from the eighties go, this movie can't hold up next to the masterpieces of the genre like Evil Dead 2 and Re Animator, but it is good fun nonetheless. It's main strength is that it has one of the best horror villains ever. Aylmer is a marvelous creation. He ... read morelooks hilarious and freaky at the same time, and every line out of his mouth is pure gold. I love the nonchalant way he says "the girl whose brains I ate." It's one of the more bizarre films I've seen, but the craziness of it makes it memorable and special. I definitely plan to check out Frank Henenlotter's other films.
  • MightySparks
    February 2, 2009
    MightySparks
    Strangely enough, I enjoyed this. The acting is terrible, but hey, it's Frank Henenlotter so what do you expect. The main guy though, actually wasn't bad. I should probably also note that I really enjoyed Basket Case (yeah I don't know either).

    The effects are pretty bad too, ... read morebut still a lot better than stupid CGI these days. It was pretty bloody and gory which was nice. It was pretty funny too and the Elmer/Aylmer whatever thing had a frickin' hilarious dopey smile on it's face.
  • DrLappos
    February 14, 2008
    DrLappos
    Cool mive...for all the wrong reasons.
  • patrickdol
    December 4, 2007
    patrickdol
    Frank Hennenlocker (last name totally not spelled right), the genius behind Basket Case directed this sucker and it's much the same, accept the thing is attached to the dude. I've only seen it once a while ago but I loved it. This won't make sense if you haven't seen it but the b... read moreest line is when the main character is refering to the thing when he hears it's name: "You called him fucking Elmer?!".
  • CHILIcheeseDONUTSwithTUNAonTOP
    October 10, 2009
    CHILIcheeseDONUTSwithTUNAonTOP
    Splatstick, not as good as Evil Dead II or Dead Alive, but in the same realm as Dellamorte Dellamore or RE-Animator

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Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz
October 1, 2011
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

So NYC deranged. Full Review

Ian Berriman
September 20, 2010
Ian Berriman, SFX Magazine

A horribly funny addiction allegory, equally likely to make you feel sympathy and sorrow, or burp up a tiny bit of sick. Full Review

Stefan Birgir Stefansson
February 28, 2008
Stefan Birgir Stefansson, sbs.is

funny 80s drug flick

Anton Bitel
October 23, 2007
Anton Bitel, Film4

As high on concept as it is low on budget, Henenlotter's 1980s urban horror is cheap, sleazy and irresistibly addictive. It's the best kind of bad trip. Full Review

Andreas Samuelson
March 4, 2005
Andreas Samuelson, Slasherpool

A weird, oddball 80s horror film for anyone who liked and enjoyed the horror and humor of Basket case Full Review

Alex Sandell
December 30, 2004
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum

Entertaining enough.

Jake Euker
June 5, 2004
Jake Euker, F5 (Wichita, KS)

So weird and bad -- in an 80s way -- that it generates some interest.

Ken Hanke
August 24, 2003
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Pretty amusing and twisted little horror flick.

Scott Weinberg
July 25, 2002
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com

Stick with "Basket Case."

Walter Goodman
May 21, 2003
Walter Goodman, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

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