Combining grotesque body horror with gruesome psychological anguish, the films ofDavid Cronenbergcan sometimes be difficult to stomach, but they are among the best movies of the past half century. Since the early 1980s, the Canadian director has perfected his signature use of the modern macabre, showing us skin-crawling metamorphoses, incestual twin dynamics, and even a sexual desire for cars (as per Indiewire). During his long career, Cronenberg has managed to go from independent, genre-focused director to become a highly respected auteur whose audacious and idiosyncratic movies cannot be confused with that of any other filmmaker. So, let’s attempt to do the impossible by listing and ranking Cronenberg’s twelve best films.
Updated: November 2022: To keep this article fresh and relevant by adding more information and entries, this article has been updated by Dylan Reber.
12Scanners (1981)
A fan-favorite released in 1981,Scannersdisplays Cronenberg’s brilliant knack for body horror by blowing the minds of his characters (literally) and his viewers. The film tells the story of a group of telepaths who work for a private security company hoping to exploit their power for their fight against another group of gifted scanners.Described by the directoras the movie “about heads,”Scannerswas one of the first Cronenberg films to receive international attention and critical acclaim.Scannersalso stands out in his filmography for being one of his most conspiratorial and political films, working as a critique of the military-industrial complex and the harmful potential uses of technology. The film shows us that beneath Cronenbergian horror there is usually a deeper message waiting to be delivered, perhaps even telepathically.
11Stereo (1969)
David Cronenberg’s directorial debutStereoexhibits the marks of a master in the making. Wildly underrated due to its low-budget and somewhat inaccessible plot,Stereodeals with the mysteries of sexuality and science in an almost satirical fashion. The film is set in the future, and it shows a group of young people who are undergoing sinister experiments by a mad scientist, the parapsychologist and leader of the “academy,” Luther Stringfellow. Set in cold yet stylish brutalist buildings, the medical surgeries lead to sexual depravity, drugs, and death.Stereomight not be technically perfect, but it is a wonderfully unique film that proves how Cronenberg is not just a genre director, but is also able to create funny, experimental, and forward-thinking films that deal with the depths of the human psyche.
Related:David Cronenberg’s Scanners is Getting Adapted as a TV Series at HBO
10eXistenZ (1999)
eXistenZis much more than just an interesting title. It’s a film that explores a troubling vision of the future, one in which video games are played by surgically attaching your spine to a “game pod.” Led by Jude Law and Jennifer Leigh, it’s a creative,prophetic warning about virtual reality, and an exciting thriller to boot. It can be thought of as Cronenberg’sThe Matrix, as it was released in the same year and deals with many of the same themes. ButeXistenZis a more frightening, body-horror-themed approach to science fiction, brought to life with unsettling practical effects.
9Eastern Promises (2007)
Most famous for its grueling and unforgettable (although we wish we could forget some details) bathhouse fight scene,Eastern Promisesis one of the best crime films Cronenberg has made. Written byPeaky BlinderswriterSteven Knight, the filmtells the story of a Russian midwife, Anna (played by Naomi Watts), who is looking in London for the family of a baby whose mother died in childbirth. She has the help of a driver for the Russian mob, Nikolai, who was played in an Academy Award-nominated performance byViggo Mortensen, and the two propel this dark, melancholic drama forward.
8Crimes of the Future (2022)
Cronenberg surprised fans when it was announced that he was working on a film titledCrimes of the Future, which shares its name with a film he made in 1970. There is, however, no relation, as this is an all-new story with fresh horrors in store.Crimes of the Futurerepresents a return to form for its director, and audiences responded positively to its shocking body-horror aesthetics. It tells the story of Saul Tenser (Viggo Mortensen) and Caprice (Léa Seydoux), who perform live surgical experiments before stunned audiences. Tenser suffers (and benefits) from what’s called “Accelerated Evolution Syndrome,” a condition that continuously grows new organs within his body. The removal of these organs thus becomes the centerpiece of Tenser and Caprice’s act. The film is often gross and sometimes confusing, but it nevertheless received a six-minute standing ovation at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival. Here’s hoping Cronenberg has more movies like this one up his sleeve.
7The Brood (1979)
One of Cronenberg’s most personal stories,The Broodis a tale of divorce, trauma, and the physical and psychological toll of being a parent. Art Hindle plays the role ofFrank Carvethis, a doctor in the middle of a bitter custody battle with his wife Nola (Samantha Eggar), who is under the care of a suspicious psychotherapist who specializes in experimental and “psychoplasmic” therapy. Nola ends up producing a brood of “psychoplasmic” children who avenge her wrongs. Released in the spring of 1979,The Broodgrossed over $5 million at the time, making it one of Cronenberg’s first commercial successes. It also became the first of his many cult classics, becoming a favorite of critics and academics and leading to itsCriterion restorationin 2013.
6Naked Lunch (1991)
Set in 1953 New York City,Naked Lunchfollows the life of exterminator William Lee (played masterfully by Peter Weller) who becomes addicted to his pest-control powder and develops surreal hallucinations, such as a typewriter-insect hybrid creature that gives him orders. This outlandish tale is based on the great William Burroughs' infamous novel, which had been considered unadaptable for decades; that is, until Cronenberg came along and wrote an equally unconventional script that mixed the book’s plot with other fiction by Burroughs, and even autobiographical accounts of the author’s life (including the time he ‘accidentally’shot and killed his wife). Filled with odd creatures and grotesqueries like reptilian “Mugwumps,“Naked Lunchis an incredibly unique, darkly comic, and risky film unlike any other. This is probably whyLittle White Lies recently called itthe “weirdest studio film ever made.”
5A History of Violence (2005)
Usually ahead of his time, Cronenberg actually received immense critical praise upon the 2005 release ofA History of Violence. The action thriller is an adaptation of a graphic novel, and it stars Viggo Mortensen as the owner of a small-town diner who becomes famous after confronting two robbers in self-defense.A History of Violenceis not only one of the best crime movies of its decade; it is also Cronenberg’s most poignant examination of the violence that lurks beneath normal American life. The film dissects the idea of the American Dream and reminds us that reinvention comes at a cost. It is one of few Cronenberg films to receive any praise from the Academy, as it was nominated for Best Supporting Actor (William Hurt) and Best Adapted Screenplay. And according toThe Hollywood ReporterViggo Mortensen claimed it is “one of the best movies [he’s] ever been in, if not the best,” which means a lot coming from the guy who starred inThe Lord of the Rings.
4Crash (1996)
Inspiring contemporaryaward-winning films likeTitane, Cronenberg’s adaptation of J.G. Ballard’s novelCrashis one of the most influential psychological thrillers of the 90s. The film was written, produced, and directed by Cronenberg himself, and it stars big names like James Spader, Holly Hunter, and Rosanna Arquette. Absolutely not to be confused with the 2004 film of the same title,Crashtells the story of a film producer who becomes entangled with a strange group of people who are sexually aroused by car crashes. As such, it’s the most extreme and interesting of Cronenberg’s studies on sexuality, audaciously examining the implications of the novel’s bizarre premise. The film was initially met with some controversy and only has 63% on Rotten Tomatoes. However,Crashhas stood the test of time, withThe Village Voicelisting it as the 35th Best Film of the 1990s, while director Martin Scorsese rankeditas the eighth-best film of the decade.
3The Fly (1986)
A modern classic, Cronenberg’sThe Flyboth defined and defiedthe conventions of body horror. No other film, Cronenbergian or otherwise, can make one’s skin crawl as intensely as this film about an eccentric scientist (played by Jeff Goldblum) who transforms into a fly-hybrid creature. WhileThe Flyis a remake of a campy 1958 film, Cronenberg infuses this story with a perfect blend of monstrosity, body transformation, and romantic drama, all of which are enhanced by the stellar performances from Goldblum and Geena Davis, who plays his love interest.The Flywas released in 1986 to massive box office success, becoming the most profitable film of Cronenberg’s career. Criminally, it is also the only film by the Canadian director to win an Oscar, with Chris Walas and Stephan Dupuis winning the Academy Award for Best Makeup. Director J.D. Dillardexpects to remakethis one soon.
Related:Mia Goth Horror Film from Brandon Cronenberg, Infinity Pool, Gets NC-17 Rating
