Scanners (1981) Review

Scanners (1981)

Scanners follows Cameron, a powerful scanner that is sent after the dangerously maniacal Darryl Revok, another powerful scanner hellbent on using his powers to tear down the structures of society. 

*For those unaware, scanners have telepathic powers. 

David Cronenberg, my god. With each passing movie of his that I watch, he is increasingly becoming a big favorite of mine. There’s such a beautiful mix of campy B-horror and insane special effects that is always evident in his work; so much so that this is still mostly known as “that one movie where the guy’s head explodes”. As well as the head burster, we get the foot on the gas from there on, catching people on fire, controlling them to kill themselves, and other mind control antics, just to name a few. 

It’s reminiscent of They Live, in it’s complete ingenuity within the horror/sci-fi genre, creating a whole mythos for these enhanced individuals, while capitalizing on just how gory and wild Cronenberg’s effects usually get. It’s no wonder this was the bridge between his early and later career, really putting him on the map in terms of what he’s capable of doing with a poor cast but phenomenal story, posing an interesting allegory between the largely misunderstood mentally ill and the scanners of his world. 

What’s important to note though, is that the acting here is pretty much reprehensible, primarily from Stephen Lack. He seems to have no clue where he’s at or what he’s doing and so much of his character feels uninspired. The only redeemer for him is a terrific villain, used to terrifying perfection by Michael Ironside to bring out the best of him, even when the two aren’t directly on screen together. He has such a frightening resemblance to Jack Nicholson, which is part of his intimidation, not even touching on how downright maniacal he is here. 

Scanners, directed by David Cronenberg, captures your attention hard, within the first 5 minutes and keeps you drawn in till it’s explosive and fiery ending in this prophetical social commentary that forces you to view modern society through the eyes of social outcasts, reduced to living on the fringes of this world. 

8.4/10