Written and directed by Canadian David Cronenberg as a reflection on his own troubled divorce, The Brood seeps his trademark body horror into an intriguing plot.
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Centered on a psychotherapist whose methods border on unethical, The Brood stars British actor Oliver Reed as Dr. Hal Raglan.
When Raglan learns that his troubled patient Nola Carveth (Samantha Eggar) is locked in a bitter battle with her husband for custody of their young daughter, he coaxes her with several controversial therapy techniques while a series of murders occur in the area.
The Brood sets itself apart from other Cronenberg’s works through its focus on motherhood.
Cronenberg felt that The Brood was “the most classic horror film I’ve done” in terms of structure. He conceived the screenplay in the aftermath of acrimonious divorce from his wife, which resulted in bitter custody battle over their daughter.
During his divorce, Cronenberg became aware of Benton’s drama Kramer vs. Karmer (which undeservedly won the 1979 Best Picture Oscar), and was disillusioned by its optimistic depiction of familial breakdown after a couple’s separation.
He began writing the screenplay for The Brood, aspiring to depict the strife between a divorced couple battling over their child.
Upon initial release, The Brood divided critics. Some described it as unpleasant, disgusting and boring, while others praised its characterization and craftsmanship, which they deemed more impressive than seen in Cronenberg’s first two films.
In his Introduction to the American Horror Film, critic Robin Wood views The Brood as a reactionary work portraying feminine power as irrational and horrifying, and the dangerous attempts of Oliver Reed’s character’s psychoanalysis as analogue to the dangers of trying to undo repression in society.
The Brood was moderately popular at the box office.
Cast
Oliver Reed as Dr. Hal Raglan
Samantha Eggar as Nola Carveth
Art Hindle as Frank Carveth
Henry Beckman as Barton Kelly
Nuala Fitzgerald as Juliana Kelly
Susan Hogan as Ruth Mayer
Cindy Hinds as Candice Carveth
Gary McKeehan as Mike Trellan
Michael Magee as Inspector
Robert A. Silverman as Jan Hartog
Larry Solway as Lawyer
Nicholas Campbell as Chris
Credits:
Directed, written by David Cronenberg
Produced by Claude Héroux
Cinematography Mark Irwin
Edited by Alan Collins
Music by Howard Shore
Distributed by New World Pictures
Release date: May 25, 1979
Running time: 92 minutes
Budget CAD $1.4 million
Box office: $5 million
