Society (1989)

Director:

Brian Yuzna

Writers:

Rick Fry (writer)
Woody Keith (writer)

Release Date:

11 June 1992 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Horror | Mystery

Tagline:

In Beverly Hills, what you fear is only the beginning.

Plot:

Bill is worried that he is 'different' to his sister and parents. They mix with other 'upper class' people while Bill is more down to earth...

Plot Keywords:

Disturbing | Upper Class | Incest | Party | Nerd

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Billy Warlock	...	Bill Whitney
Connie Danese	...	Nan
Ben Slack	...	Dr. Cleveland
Evan Richards	...	Milo
Patrice Jennings	...	Jenny Whitney
Tim Bartell	...	David Blanchard
Charles Lucia	...	Jim Whitney
Heidi Kozak	...	Shauna
Brian Bremer	...	Petrie
Ben Meyerson	...	Ferguson
Devin DeVasquez	...	Clarissa Carlyn
Maria Claire	...	Sally
Conan Yuzna	...	Jason
Jason Williams	...	Jason's Friend
Pamela Matheson	...	Mrs. Carlyn

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Certification:

Canada:16+ (Quebec) | Iceland:16 | Australia:M | Norway:18 | UK:18 | USA:R | Italy:VM18

Filming Locations:

Culver City, California, USA

Company:

Society Productions Inc.

Trivia:

A dozen crew members were used to work the large, contorted puppet for the 'shunting' finale. The puppet was moved from beneath the stage floor where the crew members were concealed.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Clarissa squirts the suntan cream on Bill's face on the beach, it is in a different pattern in the next shot, and lotion smeared on his shoulder disappears between shots.

Quotes:

Dr. Cleveland: Y'know, you really deserve what's going to happen to you.
Bill Whitney: What's gonna happen?
Dr. Cleveland: You're going to make a wonderful contribution to society.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Durch die Nacht mit...: Pierre Woodman und Brian Yuzna" (2007)

Soundtrack:

Clarisas Song (Make It Tonight)

Severely underrated Lovecraftian spoof-mystery...thing

Brian Yuzna established himself within the horror genre by producing splatter flicks such as the masterpiece Re-Animator and the pretty damn good From Beyond; but Society marks his first directorial project. It's a good one too! This film is unlike the likes of Re-Animator in that it doesn't work principally from lots of gore. There are some disgusting scenes on display; but the main focus of the film is always on the surreal element of the story. It definitely shares a Lovecraftian influence with Re-Animator. Bill Whitney is pretty much the normal teenage boy; but he's pretty sure his family aren't. He's paranoid that something unusual is going down with the society around him, but his psychiatrist is having none of it and puts it down simply to teenage paranoia. This is something more than paranoia, however, and after reviewing a tape his friend made, and having his friend die mysteriously, Bill is now certain that his fears are real. But it's hard to stand out from society; and society certainly isn't going to take his accusations lying down.

Society starts out like one of those teen comedies from the eighties; but somehow manages to build into a very surreal little film. I can definitely see why many didn't like it, but it certainly clicked for me! There are a lot of things that don't make perfect sense, the acting is terrible and the script is less than perfect - but it doesn't matter, because the imagination and inventiveness is here, and that is always the most important thing in horror. While there are films like this one in existence, there aren't any that are really similar to it; and that gives this film more standing in my view, as originality should be rewarded. Another positive element about this film is the way that it handles itself. The first hour is mainly concerned with the mystery behind 'society', but unlike many mystery flicks; this one always stays interesting. When it finally builds to it's effects-laden, disgusting finale - the audience really gets paid off, and if nothing else; you'll be captivated by what is on display. This film is a spoof on real 'society', but it keeps it's points close to it's chest and doesn't hit the audience in the face with them, thus giving this an element of intelligence. I warmly recommend this film!