6.7/10
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53 user 92 critic

Brain Damage (1988)

R | | Comedy, Horror | 25 May 1988 (France)
Brain Damage Poster
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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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
... Brian (as Rick Herbst)
Gordon MacDonald ... Mike
... Barbara
Theo Barnes ... Morris
... Martha
Vicki Darnell ... Blonde in Hell
... Guy in shower (as Joe Gonzales)
... Night watchman
... Toilet victim
... Neighbor
Ari M. Roussimoff ... Biker (as Ari Roussimoff)
Michael Rubenstein ... Bum in alley
Angel Figueroa ... Junkie
John Reichert ... Policeman
Don Henenlotter ... Policeman
See full cast »
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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

Plot Keywords:

parasite | male objectification | two word title | body part in title | taking a shower | See All (74) »

Taglines:

Inside everyone's head lurks an Elmer... See more »

Genres:

Comedy | Horror

Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

25 May 1988 (France)  »

Also Known As:

Brain Damage (La maledizione di Elmer)  »
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Box Office

Budget:

$900,000 (estimated)
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (uncut)

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

On the subway, Brian sees a man carrying a big basket with a lock on it. The character is Duane Bradley w/Belail inside the basket from Frank Henenlotter's previous film, Basket Case (1982). See more »

Goofs

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

Quotes

Brian: Elmer? You fucking named him Elmer?
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 City of the Living Dead (1980) See more »

Soundtracks

Elmer's Tune
by Elmer Albrecht, Sammy Gallop, & Dick Jurgens
Courtesy of CBS Robbins Catalog, Inc.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the differences between the R-Rated cut and Unrated version of the movie?
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User Reviews

 
"It's A Headache From Hell! "
25 September 2001 | by – See all my reviews

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.
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