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Society

  • 1989
  • R
  • 1h 39m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
20K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,419
197
Society (1989)
An ordinary teenage boy discovers his family is part of a gruesome orgy cult for the social elite.
Play trailer2:08
1 Video
82 Photos
ComedyHorror

An ordinary teenage boy discovers his family is part of a gruesome orgy cult for the social elite.An ordinary teenage boy discovers his family is part of a gruesome orgy cult for the social elite.An ordinary teenage boy discovers his family is part of a gruesome orgy cult for the social elite.

  • Director
    • Brian Yuzna
  • Writers
    • Zeph E. Daniel
    • Rick Fry
  • Stars
    • Billy Warlock
    • Concetta D'Agnese
    • Ben Slack
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    6.5/10
    20K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    4,419
    197
    • Director
      • Brian Yuzna
    • Writers
      • Zeph E. Daniel
      • Rick Fry
    • Stars
      • Billy Warlock
      • Concetta D'Agnese
      • Ben Slack
    • 147User reviews
    • 163Critic reviews
    • 50Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 2 nominations

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:08
    Watch Official Trailer

    Photos82

    Nida Manzoor in Society (1989)
    Billy Warlock in Society (1989)
    Billy Warlock in Society (1989)
    Maria Claire, Devin DeVasquez, Heidi Kozak Haddad, and Conan Yuzna in Society (1989)
    Heidi Kozak Haddad and Billy Warlock in Society (1989)
    Devin DeVasquez in Society (1989)
    Heidi Kozak Haddad and Billy Warlock in Society (1989)
    Patrice Jennings in Society (1989)
    Society (1989)
    Billy Warlock in Society (1989)
    Evan Richards and Billy Warlock in Society (1989)
    Patrice Jennings in Society (1989)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Billy Warlock
    Billy Warlock
    • Bill Whitney
    Concetta D'Agnese
    • Nan
    • (as Connie Danese)
    Ben Slack
    • Dr. Cleveland
    Evan Richards
    Evan Richards
    • Milo
    Patrice Jennings
    Patrice Jennings
    • Jenny Whitney
    Tim Bartell
    Tim Bartell
    • David Blanchard
    Charles Lucia
    Charles Lucia
    • Jim Whitney
    Heidi Kozak Haddad
    Heidi Kozak Haddad
    • Shauna
    • (as Heidi Kozak)
    Brian Bremer
    Brian Bremer
    • Petrie
    Ben Meyerson
    Ben Meyerson
    • Ferguson
    Devin DeVasquez
    Devin DeVasquez
    • Clarissa Carlyn
    Maria Claire
    • Sally
    Conan Yuzna
    • Jason
    Jason Williams
    Jason Williams
    • Jason's Friend
    Pamela Matheson
    • Mrs. Carlyn
    Rohni Lee
    • Ferguson's Gang
    Michael Schipper
    • Ferguson's Gang
    Chris Claridge
    • Ferguson's Gang
    • Director
      • Brian Yuzna
    • Writers
      • Zeph E. Daniel
      • Rick Fry
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      While shooting the infamous "shunting" scenes, Brian Yuzna would put a sign on the sound stage door that read "Abandon all hope ye who enter here".
    • Goofs
      When Bill is taken by ambulance to the hospital, the one that picks him up is a Ford, but the one that arrives at the hospital is a Chevrolet.
    • Quotes

      Clarissa Carlyn: How do you like your tea? Cream, sugar... or do you want me to pee in it?

      Bill Whitney: [after being speechless for a few seconds] You are a class act, Clarissa.

    • Alternate versions
      Although listed as 99 minutes, the Republic Pictures Home Video version released in the U.S. and Canada (through Malofilm) is actually only 95, deleting many of Screaming Mad George's special effects to get an "R" rating.
    • Connections
      Featured in Fear in the Dark (1991)
    • Soundtracks
      Blue Danube
      by Johann Strauss

      Arranged by Mark Ryder & Phil Davies

    User reviews147

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    You just gotta see it to believe it!
    Billy Whitney is a troubled kid who's seeing a shrink because of his fear of loved ones and those that are close, which he has a hard time fitting in with his wealthy family as he feels he doesn't belong with them. He's also a student at Beverly Hills Academy who's running for president and is dating the head cheerleader, so things aren't all bad. Although things suddenly change for the worse when Billy's Sister's ex-boyfriend convinces him there's something strange about his family. Now Billy gets pulled into a very frightening world that's filled with surreal images and where the paranoia is finally tearing him apart. But what's to come for Billy will be more shocking than what he can comprehend.

    After watching a horror-mystery the day before I decided to put my teeth into another, Yuzna's 'Society'. You'll think that Society comes across as usual pure 80's trash in the very cheesy kind. And it does look like that and actually descends into that pattern. But firstly the way it started off you might think otherwise, as it does open proceedings rather eerily with an tight prologue and then a haunting tune through the opening credits, but soon it takes a real sharp turn from its beginning and heads into familiar 80's horror territory, with the usual corny dialogue, gratuitous nudity, camp performances and over-the-top humour. Although when it comes to the final 20 minutes or so, you totally are blown off your feet and possibly are in a state of bemusement. During this stage it turns disturbing and rather disgusting, while there's classical music streaming along. I know that I was left with a bewildered impression on my face and I would be surprised if you don't get the same feeling too. Meaning it's a good idea to make sure your not eating when coming up towards the film's perverted climax.

    The odd but fun story does play out like a teen flick with nice amount of mystery and yep I say it, satire. This story has more to it and that shows in the hidden agendas and subtle dialog that all seems to come together perfectly. On a second viewing you would easily pick up on these hints within the script. You got your sick in-jokes, lame pun and plain wicked tone. Back onto the satire now, which this story is an allegory on the rich looking down on the less privilege and finally screwing over the poor. These amusing pot-attacks are scattered across the story, while also worked into the mystery side of the story with Billy trying to figure what's going on and what's this 'society' is. Some moments you see have you contemplating if what he sees is a figment of his imagination. The reason why you question this is because his seeing a shrink so is it just in his head or is this nightmare for real. This is presented in a very good manner and that's because of the man behind the camera.

    Brian Yuzna who produced the great 'Re-animator (1985)' makes his directorial debut here and does an extraordinary job. No real atmosphere is generated, but he paces it with such elasticity that there's no labouring about and he ups the suspense with assured handling and control. The humour and horror balance is a bit uneven, at times it felt oddly out of place, but it doesn't destroy the fun mood. Camera placement is rather sharp and well executed, with a nice eye for shots and moods. Going with it all is a likable heroine played by Billy Warlock from 'Bay watch' fame. While, the rest of the acting is nothing out of the norm for a film like this. Everyone was effective in their parts and contributed to the enjoyment that followed. The production is incredibly slick and that's evident by the locations and Screaming Mad George's mind-blowing special effects. Those messed up effects that come out of the blue are what makes this film memorable in its inevitable outcome!

    There's nothing really creepy about this real jokey 80's horror flick, but when it gets to the ending credits you'll be left with one real lasting impression… I assure you!
    helpful•43
    6
    • lost-in-limbo
    • Jan 7, 2006

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    FAQ2

    • What are the differences between the VHS from Republic and the unrated DVD from Anchor Bay?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 11, 1992 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Japan
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Shunting
    • Filming locations
      • Wrigley Mansion - 391 S. Orange Grove Boulevard, Pasadena, California, USA(exterior: mansion)
    • Production companies
      • Wild Street Pictures
      • Society Productions
      • Screaming Mad George
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $2,000,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 39 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Ultra Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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