50 Years Later: David Cronenberg’s Prophetic ‘Shivers’ Predicts the Future of Disease and Sexuality

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The success, both critically and commercially, of the film “The Substance” has prompted numerous people to make connections with the body-focused horror films by David Cronenberg. It’s no coincidence; over time, Cronenberg has become so closely associated with flesh-centric horror that any film dealing with subjects related to the human body is judged in relation to his extensive body of work. In 1975, Cronenberg made waves globally with the movie “Shivers“, also known as “They Came from Within“. Set in a secluded upper-class apartment building, Cronenberg delves into topics such as disease and promiscuous behavior, and challenges us to consider whether humans are overstepping their bounds in the quest to advance medical science.

Published amidst the turbulence of the sexual revolution and on the brink of the AIDS crisis in 1981, “Shivers” serves as both a critique of its era and a visionary prediction of the path the world was about to tread. Our current times, fresh from the end of a global pandemic and grappling with its aftermath, share some striking resemblances with the setting of “Shivers”. Over the past 50 years, Cronenberg’s work has consistently mirrored the world in his films, often offering unflattering yet realistic portraits.

A Living Experiment and the Desire to Play God

Cronenberg uses a single setting in “Shivers” to intensify dread and create a sense of claustrophobia by having most of the action occur within an exclusive high-rise apartment building situated on an isolated island, similar to the approach taken in Roman Polanski’s Apartment Trilogy. This choice not only continues the horror genre’s tradition of confinement but also links it with a significant theme in Cronenberg’s film: the desire to play god in order to accelerate medical research. In essence, the apartment building can be regarded as a petri dish in a laboratory, where various organisms are closely observed to achieve a desired outcome.

The experiment aims at creating a parasite to perform the job of a malfunctioning human organ, and this reminds us of Icarus flying dangerously close to the sun. This act of meddling with human biology stirs ethical debates about proper medical practice and challenging nature’s course. If ‘the road to hell is paved with good intentions,’ then the outcomes from the experiment in Shivers could be seen as settling an old debt, akin to the Devil claiming what was owed.

The rapidly spreading organisms disguise themselves as aphrodisiacs, stirring intense sexual urges in their human hosts. Instead of a symbiotic bond, these parasites serve as a tool for Cronenberg, enabling him to portray the act of parasitic invasion as a metaphor for sexual intrusion. This infestation serves as a means for him to delve into and comment on the ongoing sexual revolution during that era through its promiscuous nature.

The Devastation of Disease

As a movie critic, I found myself utterly captivated by David Cronenberg’s film, Shivers. The remote setting serves as an effective backdrop for Cronenberg to vividly depict the alarming speed at which contagion spreads due to these parasites.

In this chilling narrative, Cronenberg skillfully explores a variety of themes, with the most prominent being the aftermath of the sexual revolution. This cultural shift, particularly noticeable in various subcultures from the preceding decade, posed a significant challenge to traditional moral norms. Ideas like casual sex and premarital intimacy became increasingly common.

Cronenberg critiques this movement in Shivers, using the parasite outbreak as a metaphor for the darker aspects of the sexual revolution. Here, he masterfully demonstrates that such behavior can lead to extreme violence, showcasing its destructive potential at its most gruesome.

Regarding the discussion on the sexual revolution, it’s important to note a powerful observation: diseases are prevalent across all social classes, not just among the impoverished. Given that the high-rise inhabitants are wealthy individuals, this epidemic doesn’t discriminate in its victims. The disease proliferates, and due to no changes in physical appearance, identifying the infected becomes virtually impossible.

The deterioration in conduct among the tower block inhabitants ultimately results in the epidemic spreading unchecked, leaving no hope for a cure from medical science and affecting everyone. Cronenberg’s critique on disease finds its peak with the film’s ending, as the residents of the high-rise are shown exiting by car, symbolically transforming into carriers of the new contagion.

Prophecies of the Epidemic

In the years following the release of “Shivers” in 1977, David Cronenberg continued to create thought-provoking and influential horror films that combined elements of science fiction, body horror, and social commentary. One such film was “Videodrome” (1983), which explores the dangers of technology and media manipulation in a satirical and surreal manner. The protagonist Max Renn, played by James Woods, becomes obsessed with a mysterious television station broadcasting violent and disturbing content that seems to have real-world effects on its viewers. This film can be seen as a critique of the power of mass media and its potential to warp reality, a theme that remains relevant today in an era dominated by social media and fake news.

Another notable Cronenberg film from this period is “The Brood” (1979), which delves into the darker side of psychotherapy and the destructive potential of anger and rage. The film follows a woman who undergoes a controversial therapy treatment that allows her to give birth to monstrous offspring, each embodying different aspects of her own emotional turmoil. This film can be interpreted as a commentary on the dangers of unexamined emotions and the potential for them to manifest in destructive ways.

Throughout his career, Cronenberg has consistently used horror as a means of exploring complex and taboo topics, such as the blurred lines between humanity and technology, the dangers of unchecked power, and the darker aspects of human nature. His work continues to inspire and provoke thought in audiences today.

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2025-02-15 20:05