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Brain Damage (1988)

 -  Comedy | Horror  -  25 May 1988 (France)
6.5
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Ratings: 6.5/10 from 4,009 users  
Reviews: 40 user | 69 critic

One morning a young man wakes to find a small, disgusting creature has attached itself to the base of his brain stem. The creature gives him a euphoric state of happiness but in return demands human victims.

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Edit

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
Gordon MacDonald ...
Mike
Jennifer Lowry ...
Barbara
Theo Barnes ...
Morris
Lucille Saint-Peter ...
Martha
Vicki Darnell ...
Blonde in Hell
Joseph Gonzalez ...
Guy in shower
Bradlee Rhodes ...
Night watchman
Michael Bishop ...
Toilet victim
Beverly Bonner ...
Neighbor
Ari M. Roussimoff ...
Biker
Kevin Van Hentenryck ...
Michael Rubenstein ...
Bum in alley
Angel Figueroa ...
Junkie
John Reichert ...
Policeman
Edit

Storyline

A normal, average guy who lives in New York City becomes dependent on an evil, disembodied brain. The brain feeds the guy a narcotic substance in exchange for his unwilling assistance in obtaining the brains of innocent victims for sustenance. This turns into a tour of circa-1980s underground NYC clubs, backlots, and other seedy locations. One scene features the band Swimming Pool Cues playing the song "Corruption." Written by Mark Logan <marklo@west.sun.com>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

It's A Headache From Hell! See more »

Genres:

Comedy | Horror

Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
Edit

Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

25 May 1988 (France)  »

Also Known As:

Brain Damage (La maledizione di Elmer)  »

Box Office

Budget:

$900,000 (estimated)
 »

Company Credits

Production Co:

 »
Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (uncut)

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Rick has an unexplained cut on his lip all throughout the film. It was a part of a subplot involving him getting into a fight the night before defending his brother in a bar fight. But due to time restraints the explanation scenes were never filmed See more »

Goofs

When Brian wakes up bloody, the blood on his left hand disappears and reappears between shots. See more »

Quotes

Aylmer: This is the start of your new life, Brian. A life without worry or pain or loneliness, a life filled instead with colors and music and, euphoria... A life of light and pleasure.
Brian: But who are you? What are you?
Aylmer: I am you, Brian. I'm all you'll ever need.
Brian: I don't understand.
Aylmer: You will, Brian. From now on your life will take on a whole new light, and all you have to do is look into the light, and listen. Listen to the light, Brian, just listen to the light...
Brian: Yes, yes, I'd like to again, but... I ...
[...]
See more »

Crazy Credits

In the end titles, listed under "Historical Research" is BABE WOZENTHAL. According Frank Henenlotter on the DVD's commentary, this was a joke about Jerry Lewis in "The Errand Boy." See more »

Connections

References The Maltese Falcon (1941) See more »

Soundtracks

"Corruption"
by J. Calder, A. Boston, J.E. Garnett, B. Elsey, & B. Burton
Performed by The Swimming Pool Q's
Courtesy of Irving Music, Inc.
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
One of my alltime favs!
26 October 2004 | by (United States) – See all my reviews

This is one of my alltime favorites of the horror genre! A great movie to watch.

What i like about this movie is the underlying drug related messages throughout. It's like watching requiem for a dream almost in that drug-related sense.

I don't need to tell much about the plot, since i'm sure many have already explained it.

I am a hardcore horror fan through and through, and i will just say that this movie rocks. It's got a great and interesting story, some awesome gore scenes and some hilarious comedy as well. It's not scary, but it is a gory, funny, bizarre, and original movie that isn't even close to being like anything else out there...you gotta see it to believe it.

10 out of 10 (based on a horror fan's review)


13 of 13 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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