The Brood Reviews

Powerful and disturbing on both a physical and mental level, THE BROOD is the first Cronenberg film to use "name" actors, and marked a significant progression in the director's exploration of "biological horror." Controversial psychotherapist Dr. Raglan (Oliver Reed) teaches mental patients to manifest their subconscious anger physically, as boils and welts on their bodies. One of his patients, Nola (Samantha Eggar), has actually begun giving birth to a small army of mutant babies--the ultimate projection of her hostilities. She houses her brood in a nearby cabin from which, dressed in their colorful Dr. Dentons, the murderous little creatures venture out and kill the objects of their mother's rage. Eggar's bitter ex-husband, who is trying to discredit Reed's treatments so he can gain custody of their daughter, uncovers the horrible truth. More personal than earlier Cronenberg films (the director had just gone through a painful divorce at the time of shooting), THE BROOD is a mature, controlled work that finds horror not only in such institutions as hospitals and schools but, more specifically, in the family unit itself. While his previous efforts (THEY CAME FROM WITHIN, RABID) had been rather clinical exercises, Cronenberg presents more complex and genuinely sympathetic characters here, giving the film added resonance. THE BROOD also marks his growing confidence as a visual stylist, with some memorable--if highly gory--realizations of his pet themes.