• Release CalendarDVD & Blu-ray ReleasesTop Rated MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsShowtimes & TicketsIn TheatersComing SoonComing SoonMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
      What's on TV & StreamingWhat's on TV & StreamingTop Rated ShowsMost Popular ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
      What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb TVIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
      OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersGolden GlobesEmmysLGBTQ+ Pride MonthSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
      Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
      Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
    For Industry Professionals
      AllTitlesTV EpisodesCelebsCompaniesKeywords
    • Advanced Search
    Watchlist
    Sign In
    Welcome to the new version of this page.
    Learn more
    Report an issue

    Brainscan

    • 19941994
    • RR
    • 1h 36min
    IMDb RATING
    6.1/10
    11K
    YOUR RATING
    • Cast & crew
    • User reviews
    • Trivia
    • IMDbPro
    T. Ryder Smith in Brainscan (1994)
    Watch {VideoTitle}
    Trailer2:03
    1 Video
    99+ Photos
    ComedyHorrorSci-Fi

    A teenager is part of an interactive video game where he kills innocent victims. Later, the murders become real.A teenager is part of an interactive video game where he kills innocent victims. Later, the murders become real.A teenager is part of an interactive video game where he kills innocent victims. Later, the murders become real.A teenager is part of an interactive video game where he kills innocent victims. Later, the murders become real.A teenager is part of an interactive video game where he kills innocent victims. Later, the murders become real.

    • Director
      • John Flynn
    • Writers
      • Brian Owens(story)
      • Andrew Kevin Walker(screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Edward Furlong
      • Frank Langella
      • T. Ryder Smith
    Top credits
    • Director
      • John Flynn
    • Writers
      • Brian Owens(story)
      • Andrew Kevin Walker(screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Edward Furlong
      • Frank Langella
      • T. Ryder Smith
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 96User reviews
    • 74Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:03
    Trailer

    Photos133

    Brainscan (1994)
    T. Ryder Smith in Brainscan (1994)
    Edward Furlong and T. Ryder Smith in Brainscan (1994)
    Michèle-Barbara Pelletier in Brainscan (1994)
    Amy Hargreaves in Brainscan (1994)
    Amy Hargreaves in Brainscan (1994)
    Amy Hargreaves in Brainscan (1994)
    Amy Hargreaves in Brainscan (1994)
    Amy Hargreaves in Brainscan (1994)
    Edward Furlong in Brainscan (1994)
    Edward Furlong and T. Ryder Smith in Brainscan (1994)
    Brainscan (1994)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Edward Furlong
    Edward Furlong
    • Michaelas Michael
    Frank Langella
    Frank Langella
    • Detective Haydenas Detective Hayden
    T. Ryder Smith
    • The Tricksteras The Trickster
    Amy Hargreaves
    Amy Hargreaves
    • Kimberlyas Kimberly
    Jamie Marsh
    Jamie Marsh
    • Kyleas Kyle
    Victor Ertmanis
    • Martinas Martin
    David Hemblen
    David Hemblen
    • Dr. Frombergas Dr. Fromberg
    Vlasta Vrana
    Vlasta Vrana
    • Frankas Frank
    Domenico Fiore
    • Kenas Ken
    • (as Dom Fiore)
    Claire Riley
    • News Anchoras News Anchor
    Tod Fennell
    Tod Fennell
    • Young Michaelas Young Michael
    • (as Tod Fennel)
    Michèle-Barbara Pelletier
    Michèle-Barbara Pelletier
    • Stacieas Stacie
    • (as Michele-Barbara Pelletier)
    Dean Hagopian
    • Mr. Kelleras Mr. Keller
    Donna Baccala
    Donna Baccala
    • Mrs. Kelleras Mrs. Keller
    • (as Donna Bacalla)
    Jérôme Tiberghien
    • Mr. Tebbas Mr. Tebb
    • (as Jerome Thiberghian)
    Don Jordan
    Don Jordan
    • Cop #1as Cop #1
    Pete White
    • Dog Owneras Dog Owner
    Peter Colvey
    Peter Colvey
    • Johnas John
    • Director
      • John Flynn
    • Writers
      • Brian Owens(story)
      • Andrew Kevin Walker(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    See production, box office, & company info

    More like this

    Mindwarp
    5.3
    Mindwarp
    Waxwork
    6.2
    Waxwork
    Night of the Creeps
    6.8
    Night of the Creeps
    Dolls
    6.3
    Dolls
    Frankenhooker
    6.2
    Frankenhooker
    Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight
    6.7
    Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight
    Night of the Demons
    6.2
    Night of the Demons
    Body Parts
    5.6
    Body Parts
    Maniac Cop
    6.0
    Maniac Cop
    Protection
    5.3
    Protection
    Hideaway
    5.3
    Hideaway
    Intruder
    6.3
    Intruder

    Storyline

    Edit
    A lonely teenage horror-movie fan discovers a mysterious computer game that uses hypnosis to custom-tailor the game into the most terrifying experience imaginable. When he emerges from the hypnotic trance he is horrified to find evidence that the brutal murder depicted in the game actually happened -- and he's the killer. —Kevin Ackley <kackley1@aol.com>
    murderteenagercomputer gamecomputersurprise ending48 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Goodbye Reality! Welcome Virtual Reality!
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Horror
      • Sci-Fi
      • Thriller
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated R for strong violence, and for language and some sexuality
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Director John Flynn did not get along with Edward Furlong during filming. He later recalled, "Eddie Furlong was a 15-year-old kid who couldn't act. You had to slap him awake every morning. I don't want to get into knocking people, but I was not a big Eddie Furlong fan."
    • Goofs
      Michael's area code is 717 which is located in Eastern Pennsylvania. However if you look closely at the letters that he sorts through and finds the Brainscan package, the state that he lives in is actually New Jersey.
    • Quotes

      [Michael answers Dr. Fromberg as to why he likes watching horror films]

      Michael: I guess it's kind of an escape.

      Dr. Fromberg: Like, uh... lighting up a marijuana cigarette and escaping the real world, hmm? Like watching a pornographic sex film, getting an erection and raping someone? Is that what you mean?

      Michael: You know, I don't think erections rape people. People rape people.

    • Crazy credits
      As the end credits start, we hear Trickster say "Wait a minute. Haven't you forgotten something?" and the credits screen shatters as if it was made of glass. It then shows a scene involving the dog with the dismembered foot from earlier in the film, and then the end credits resume.
    • Alternate versions
      The UK Guild video was cut by 58 secs with edits to a scene where a man is repeatedly stabbed and his foot severed. The cuts were waived for the Optimum DVD release.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Bad Girls/The Inkwell/Naked in New York/Brainscan/Surviving the Game (1994)
    • Soundtracks
      Under My Skin
      Performed by Dandelion

      Written by Dandelion

      Produced by David M. Johnson and Dandelion

      Courtesy of RuffHouse Records

    User reviews96

    Review
    Top review
    Hmmmm, delish
    This movie is the cream of the crop of B-grade movies. This seems to be a follow on from Terminator II which stars Edward Furlong as a starring role, the producers loving it because he's "Hot" apparently, and Edward loving it because it's about him.

    This kid is sent the latest in video game technology, an interactive VR experience which sees him kill another human being, the catch being he's not allowed to leave any witness's or clues. You guessed it, it turns out to be real, and he is suspected for murder.

    The only way he can clear his name is to keep playing the game and try to cover his tracks, but move bodies pile up until it's all just too much for a sixteen year old to bare.

    The preformances are all top notch, except for the main ten actors, it's surprisingly watchable if it's late and there's nothing else on. The villan, a cyber-spook called the "Trickster" is supposed to be sinister, despite outbursts of comic relief behaviour, such as dancing around the boys bedroom to Primus' "Welcome to this world".

    Overall a good effort, and like i said, it's the cream of the B-grade crop.
    helpful•4
    3
    • Snap Dad
    • Sep 14, 2000

    FAQ1

    • What are the differences between the old BBFC 15 Version and the Uncut Version?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 22, 1994 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Brain Scan
    • Filming locations
      • Montréal, Québec, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Admire Productions Ltd.
      • Coral Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $4,352,094
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $1,725,000
      • Apr 24, 1994
    • Gross worldwide
      • $4,352,094
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 36min
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

    Cam Review – Lff 2018
    Oct 3HeyUGuys.co.uk
    Scream Factory Blu-ray Review Round-Up: Brainscan, The Unborn, Return Of The Living Dead Part II Collector’s Edition
    Aug 31DailyDead

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Edit page
    • Getting started
    • Contributor Zone

    More to explore

    View list
    List
    The Best Shows Returning in 2021
    See the full list
    Image caption not available
    2:58
    6 Shows Everyone's Still Talking About
    Watch the video

    Around the web

    Powered by Taboola

    Recently viewed

    You have no recently viewed pages
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • IMDb TV
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads

    © 1990-2021 by IMDb.com, Inc.