The Fly

19861986
RR
1h 36min

The Fly (1986)

Trailer for this remake

Play trailer2:05

Drama Horror Sci-Fi

A brilliant but eccentric scientist begins to transform into a giant man/fly hybrid after one of his experiments goes horribly wrong.A brilliant but eccentric scientist begins to transform into a giant man/fly hybrid after one of his experiments goes horribly wrong.A brilliant but eccentric scientist begins to transform into a giant man/fly hybrid after one of his experiments goes horribly wrong.

Director
- David Cronenberg
Writers
- George Langelaan(short story)
- Charles Edward Pogue(screenplay)
- David Cronenberg(screenplay)
Stars

See production, box office & company info

See production, box office & company info

Won 1 Oscar
- 7 wins & 10 nominations total

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The Fly (1986)

The Fly (1986)

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Geena Davis and Jeff Goldblum in The Fly (1986)

Geena Davis and Jeff Goldblum in The Fly (1986)

Geena Davis and Jeff Goldblum in The Fly (1986)

Jeff Goldblum in The Fly (1986)

Jeff Goldblum in The Fly (1986)

Jeff Goldblum in The Fly (1986)

Jeff Goldblum in The Fly (1986)

Geena Davis and Jeff Goldblum in The Fly (1986)

Geena Davis and Jeff Goldblum in The Fly (1986)

Jeff Goldblum in The Fly (1986)

Jeff Goldblum in The Fly (1986)

The Fly (1986)

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The Fly II

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Dead Ringers

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Seth Brundle (Jeff Goldblum), a brilliant but eccentric scientist attempts to woo investigative journalist Veronica Quaife (Geena Davis) by offering her a scoop on his latest research in the field of matter transportation, which against all the expectations of the scientific establishment have proved successful. Up to a point. Brundle thinks he has ironed out the last problem when he successfully transports a living creature, but when he attempts to teleport himself a fly enters one of the transmission booths, and Brundle finds he is a changed man. This Science-Gone-Mad film is the source of the quotable quote "Be afraid. Be very afraid." —Mark Thompson <mrt@oasis.icl.co.uk>

teleportation woman takes off stocking body horror genetic alteration metamorphosis 117 more

Taglines
- Something went wrong in the lab today. Very wrong.
Genres
Certificate
- R
Parents guide

Trivia
In a 1987 interview on Sinister Image (1987) Vincent Price revealed that when this remake was released, star Jeff Goldblum wrote him a letter saying, "I hope you like it as much as I liked yours." Price was touched by the letter, he composed a reply and went to see the film, which he described as "wonderful right up to a certain point... it went a little too far."

Goofs
In the "steak experiment" sequence, Seth cuts the meat in two pieces, and teleports the bigger one. Later, Veronica eats a bit of this bigger half and finds that "it tastes like a steak", and when Seth gives her a piece of the smaller one and says "now try this teleported half", she finds that "it tastes synthetic". This is a continuity mistake. (It has been suggested that Seth deliberately misled Veronica as to which steak was teleported, to test Veronica's psychological reaction. However, this is unlikely; if the test were merely to determine Veronica's aversion to eating teleported meat, then it would not have led directly to the realization that the computer was incorrectly reassembling flesh).

Quotes
Tawny: [after Seth says it's Tawny's turn to teleport] I'm afraid.
Seth Brundle: Don't be afraid.
Ronnie: No. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

Crazy credits
The background for the opening titles consists of an optically distorted, swirling mass of colors, which gradually transform into the opening shot of the film. This is a representation of how biologists believe a fly's vision would appear to a human.

Alternate versions
The Indian theatrical release was cut by the Censor Board for an 'A' (restricted to adults) rating.
Delete the word 'Cock' spoken by Stathis.
Delete visuals of pick-up girl sitting on the chair before the teleporter machine and reduce the flash the love-making between her and Seth.
Delete the abortion dream sequence from the point where Veronica screams and people around are shocked, to the point where she is shown waking up.
In the climax:
Reduce to a flash of Seth crushing Stathis's hand.
Delete the visuals of Seth vomiting on Stathis.
Delete the visuals of crushed hand.
Delete the visuals of Veronica pulling off pieces from Seth's face.

Connections
Edited into Bryan Ferry: Help Me (1986)

Soundtracks
Help Me
Performed by Bryan Ferry
Written by Nile Rodgers, Bryan Ferry
Nile Rodgers and Bryan Ferry appear through the courtesy by Warner Bro. Records

Top review

10/10

Better than the original and one of the best horror films ever made

David Cronenberg redefined what we think of as creepy with this brilliant film. The makeup special effects and grossouts are top notch, but what is most surprising about The Fly is that it turns out to be a very well acted and emotional love story. It greatly surpasses the original '58 version.

The film focuses on the relationship between Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis at the top and once it takes its turn towards horror it really pays off. It's not just scary, it's a tragedy too. Jeff Goldblum is phenomenal. He is mesmerizing as he delivers great dialogue and once he's barely recognizable he still breaks through the makeup and you can feel the human inside. I can't believe he didn't get an Oscar for this, it's easily his best performance.

I can't express how much I love The Fly. It's more than just horror, and it's proof that you just may find a truly great movie where you least expect it.

My rating: 10/10

helpful•238

38

Derek237
Jul 16, 2003

Budget
- $15,000,000 (estimated)
Gross US & Canada
- $40,456,565
Opening weekend US & Canada
- $7,007,423
- Aug 17, 1986
Gross worldwide
- $60,629,159

See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

Runtime
- 1h 36min
Color
- Color
Sound mix
- Dolby Stereo
Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1

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