One morning, a young man wakes to find that a small, disgusting creature has attached itself to the base of his brain stem. The creature gives him a euphoric state of happiness but demands human victims in return.
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Title: Brain Damage (1988)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Rick Hearst | ... | Brian (as Rick Herbst) | |
 |
Gordon MacDonald | ... | Mike |
| Jennifer Lowry | ... | Barbara | |
| Theo Barnes | ... | Morris | |
| Lucille Saint-Peter | ... | Martha | |
| Vicki Darnell | ... | Blonde in Hell | |
| Joseph Gonzalez | ... | Guy in shower (as Joe Gonzales) | |
| Bradlee Rhodes | ... | Night watchman | |
| Michael Bishop | ... | Toilet victim | |
| Beverly Bonner | ... | Neighbor | |
|
|
Ari M. Roussimoff | ... | Biker (as Ari Roussimoff) |
|
|
Michael Rubenstein | ... | Bum in alley |
|
|
Angel Figueroa | ... | Junkie |
|
|
John Reichert | ... | Policeman |
|
|
Don Henenlotter | ... | Policeman |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
See All (252) »
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 Keywords:
parasite | male objectification | two word title | body part in title | taking a shower |Taglines:
...Now You're Really Losing Your Mind! See more »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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Edit
See more on IMDbPro »
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
25 May 1988 (France) See more »Also Known As:
Brain Damage (La maledizione di Elmer) See more »Filming Locations:
New York City, New York, USAEdit
Box Office
Budget:
$900,000 (estimated)Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
| (uncut)Sound Mix:
MonoColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
Edit
See more »
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 »
Did You Know?
Trivia
As Brian wakes up for the first time in his bed, his head covered in blood, an album poster is spotted on the wall, Slayer's "Reign In Blood". 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 full of colors, music,light and euphoria. A life without pain, or hurt or suffering.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 »Alternate Versions
The original UK cinema version was cut by 18 secs and the 1988 Palace video had the same 22 secs of pre-cuts to edit the infamous scene where Aylmer burrows his way through a prostitute's mouth during a fellatio act. The cuts were fully waived for the 2007 DVD. See more »Soundtracks
Corruptionby 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 »
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Brain Damage is the greatest anti-drug horror/comedy. Well, probably the only one. This is Frank Henenlotter's crowning achievement. If you like his Basketcase trilogy, who cares? This is way better than those movies. This movie actually has a message: Don't trust little phallic-like aliens named Aylmer. Just kidding. The anti-drug theme is played heavily throughout the movie. If you're a genre buff or if your sense of humor is as perverted as mine, then do not miss this film. It should be a considered a classic low budget horror movie but it seems that it's rather unheard of. And that is a sad thing. Frank Henenlotter...where are you?
Note for genre buffs: Look out for the man with the wicker basket on the subway. That's Kevin Van Hentenryck from the Basket Case films.