As a lifelong horror enthusiast who grew up with the flicker of cathode rays casting eerie shadows on my childhood walls, I must say that revisiting David Cronenberg’s masterpiece, Videodrome, feels like slipping on a well-worn pair of comfortable shoes. The film, now streaming on Peacock, is a timeless piece of body horror that resonates as deeply with the old-school VHS devotees like myself as it does with the young viewers who’ve never held a video cassette in their lives.
Glancing from afar, it’s hard not to see David Cronenberg’s 1983 masterpiece, “Videodrome,” as an antiquated horror flick. The story revolves around a skeptical TV programmer (James Woods) who uncovers a horrific pirate channel and dives deeper into the mystery surrounding it. Given that the film is deeply rooted in the world of 1980s television, featuring VHS and Beta-Max tapes, cathode rays, and bulky, almost alien-like cabinets as TV sets, it’s easy for a modern, hardened horror enthusiast to dismiss it as an outdated artifact.
Why now is a great time to revisit David Cronenberg’s Videodrome
In Cronenberg’s film, currently streaming on Peacock, there’s an undeniable sense of timelessness and a chilling terror that lingers. This quality is evident in almost all his work, but it shines particularly brightly here, given the film’s immersion in the nostalgic appeal of old VHS footage, flickering TV screens, and the soothing ambiance of a television humming as you wander around. For those with the right frame of mind, it offers a fun retro experience, but there’s more to its charm than that. Upon closer inspection, you’ll discover a profoundly affecting, gripping piece of body horror that appeals not only to die-hard VHS enthusiasts like myself but also to younger viewers who’ve never even touched a video cassette.
Max, a familiar figure who seems like a byproduct of his era, is our guy who’s deeply immersed in television, viewing it not just as a hobby but an essential aspect of life. He dismisses his career aspirations as obligations for the sake of maintaining his position. This man wakes up to the TV, prefers chewing pizza crusts over dining elegantly, takes advantage of every opportunity that comes his way, and even resorts to stealing items from hotel room service trays. Moreover, he has an intimate grasp of the viewers he’s targeting. These people aren’t particularly concerned with watching shows in order or valuing quality, origin, or morals; they simply crave a dose of sex and violence.
Of course, this leads him to discover “Videodrome,” an enigmatic and violent television program that instantly captivates him upon his first viewing. In this series, which is essentially a commanding red room where individuals are subjected to continuous and gruesome torture, Max finds his next blockbuster. However, obtaining it won’t be easy for him. Videodrome, as you might guess, isn’t just entertainment; it’s a raw broadcast of violence… or perhaps it’s something more profound. It could very well be whatever Max imagines it to be.
In this storyline, the underlying themes –– such as the attraction of violence within society, the compulsive aspect of entertainment, and the skepticism in show business –– are topics that resonate with us today, even though the technology has evolved. We find ourselves living in an era dominated by algorithms, a time where marketing strategies are coldly determined based on viewer retention during the initial five minutes of a show or movie. The ongoing discussions about explicit content in films and series reflect contemporary debates, and our continuing exploration into the impact of such content on our minds is something we may not consciously acknowledge, but it’s certainly still a subject of interest.
In Videodrome, we encounter a timeless character and themes, skillfully presented by David Cronenberg’s chilling narrative pace and Rick Baker’s striking visual effects. This alone makes it compelling viewing, but there’s more to it than meets the eye. For me, what truly endears Videodrome is the profound, almost spiritual manner in which Cronenberg handles the material, adding layers of depth that keep us captivated long after the credits roll.
This movie, Videodrome, initially appears to be a classic body horror story exploring how TV can alter, distort, and even grow our physical selves. And it does deliver on all those aspects. However, what makes this film truly unique is its incorporation of religious symbolism throughout the narrative. You’ll find prayer candles, images of saints, crucifixes, and even the concept of charity for the less fortunate woven not just into the overtly religious scenes but into almost every scene of the movie. The deeper you delve into the film, the more Cronenberg’s perspective seeps in, making it increasingly captivating. Moreover, as you watch, rewatch, and contemplate this film, you may find that its themes subtly influence your own viewing experience, becoming a part of it.
In essence, if the idea in Videodrome is correct – that what we see significantly shapes our reality – then an increasing amount of your reality might be turning into the movie itself. This thought is quite unsettling, but its credibility is strengthened by the intricate way the film has been crafted by a skilled director, making it even more timeless.
And that’s before we even talk about the great Deborah Harry.
Videodrome is now streaming on Peacock.
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2024-09-27 18:46