“With the last struggled twine of tarsi claws wrapped around the mercy and memory of its lover’s shotgun, a brilliant man may have broken the rules to become more than just he and a fly.”
Brilliant.
Write ups of the Fly are difficult because, as you said, there are so many.
“Ronnie, his equal, naturalistically beautiful with savage intelligence, brimming with a confidence that crosses the line into suffering fools unkindly, likely destroying any man who tries to reciprocate the manipulation she had mastered in their world to get what she wants. A perfect match magnetized by the inescapable power of infatuation and the novelty of new skin with devout belief that such feelings could never evolve nor fade.”
Gorgeously written. Newcomers to The Fly won’t know whether to fall in love or throw up when they see “bookishly handsome” Brundlefly.
Yeah, I guess that sentence does underplay his hand and leg getting melted down like acid just a bit doesn’t it? Lol
I’ve got to order a Fly 2 dvd today. I haven’t seen it since I was around middle school a hundred years ago. It’s not streaming at all, no YouTube, not even an Amazon rental and it’s hard to find on Amazon’s shop site and other right now.
Brilliant wordplay and insect puns aside, this review really gets to the heart of why this film is so good. I enjoyed reading it a lot - it's borderline poetic at times, and carries the same gravitas as the film at it's saddest.
Wow, thank you, Harry. You made my day, man. Thanks for reading! The Fly is top 10 horror for me so it’s an easier one to write about. I’m working on An American Werewolf In Paris for my next essay post and it’s ummmm a bit harder lol.
AWIEngland is amazing obviously, but Paris is maybe the top 3 worst horror sequels for me anyway. Especially for the 90’s at least. It’s rough but it has an audience which is interesting.
The critics pretend The Fly is about the human condition, when in fact it’s mostly about the horror of waking up one morning and realizing you’re disgusting, which is something everyone could possibly experience by the age of forty. Cronenberg just gave it better lighting. That’s why the film still resonates. It’s not philosophy. It’s basic hygiene.
Don’t disagee at all. The fear of aging and our bodies betraying us (getting disgusting) is the major theme. And now at 42 I get it. I can see how someone could read the AIDS crisis into it but ppl do that with every horror movie in the 80’s. Even Croney was like nah that ain’t it.
“With the last struggled twine of tarsi claws wrapped around the mercy and memory of its lover’s shotgun, a brilliant man may have broken the rules to become more than just he and a fly.”
Brilliant.
Write ups of the Fly are difficult because, as you said, there are so many.
This one is perfect.
One thing I was struck by rewatching it again is how much The Substance homaged this.
B, I’m blushin, bud.
Seconded.
Fromtheyardtothearthouse.substack.com
“Ronnie, his equal, naturalistically beautiful with savage intelligence, brimming with a confidence that crosses the line into suffering fools unkindly, likely destroying any man who tries to reciprocate the manipulation she had mastered in their world to get what she wants. A perfect match magnetized by the inescapable power of infatuation and the novelty of new skin with devout belief that such feelings could never evolve nor fade.”
Gorgeously written. Newcomers to The Fly won’t know whether to fall in love or throw up when they see “bookishly handsome” Brundlefly.
Thankya Kristen!
I think w/ Brundle they might do both.
“Ronnie’s boss Stathis (John Getz), seriously wounded by Brundlefly…”
Seriously ..what an understatement…
You outdid yourself with this piece, Kyle!
Your enthusiasm for your subject is infectious in the very best way.
The Fly is a personal favorite and I think that you did it justice.
I’m looking forward to your assessment of The Fly 2.
Thanks Kat!
Yeah, I guess that sentence does underplay his hand and leg getting melted down like acid just a bit doesn’t it? Lol
I’ve got to order a Fly 2 dvd today. I haven’t seen it since I was around middle school a hundred years ago. It’s not streaming at all, no YouTube, not even an Amazon rental and it’s hard to find on Amazon’s shop site and other right now.
Oh boy …lack of streaming speaks bottom to the righteousness you are about to enter into and live to tell us the tale of…
I, too, saw it once… I can honestly say I have no memory of its contents…
Brilliant wordplay and insect puns aside, this review really gets to the heart of why this film is so good. I enjoyed reading it a lot - it's borderline poetic at times, and carries the same gravitas as the film at it's saddest.
Wow, thank you, Harry. You made my day, man. Thanks for reading! The Fly is top 10 horror for me so it’s an easier one to write about. I’m working on An American Werewolf In Paris for my next essay post and it’s ummmm a bit harder lol.
My pleasure! Can’t wait to read more - but I need to get through the films first. The Fly is in my top ten as well!
Yet to see American Werewolf in Paris, but if you’re covering it, I’ll give it a watch! :)
AWIEngland is amazing obviously, but Paris is maybe the top 3 worst horror sequels for me anyway. Especially for the 90’s at least. It’s rough but it has an audience which is interesting.
Oohoho. I’m intruiged. Count me in, man.
The critics pretend The Fly is about the human condition, when in fact it’s mostly about the horror of waking up one morning and realizing you’re disgusting, which is something everyone could possibly experience by the age of forty. Cronenberg just gave it better lighting. That’s why the film still resonates. It’s not philosophy. It’s basic hygiene.
Don’t disagee at all. The fear of aging and our bodies betraying us (getting disgusting) is the major theme. And now at 42 I get it. I can see how someone could read the AIDS crisis into it but ppl do that with every horror movie in the 80’s. Even Croney was like nah that ain’t it.
Excellent article about one of the best from the 80’s. I will be discussing soon myself
Thanks, my man! Looking forward to it!!
I haven’t watched this film in years and thanks to this writeup, I think it’s due for a rewatch. I’ve never even seen The Fly 2!
Definitely need a rewatch, Dan! It’s one of my top 10 favorite horror movies and just one of my faves in general.
Thanks for reading, good sir!
I haven’t seen The Fly 2 since I was a kid so looking forward to rewatching. Stars a young Eric Stoltz if you remember him?
Beautifully written review! I think this is your best yet. I have only seen the original Fly, but you've sold me on this version.
Thanks, Emma!
You gotta see it. Like immediately.
Go now and stream..I mean it. Go.. :)
Dec, u big softie. Y’all huddle in for a substack group hug right now.