Altered States (1980) 7/10

Talky, thanks to Paddy Chayevsky but visionary, thanks to Ken Russell – and while some of the behind-the-scenes messiness shows on screen, you can’t discount the film’s energy and experimentation.

Basket Case (1982) 8/10

On the surface, Frank Henenlotter’s debut is an ultra-cheap and exploitative horror – but it’s likeable, tongue-in-cheek and occasionally even touching, with grimy New York backdrops.

Basket Case 2 (1990) 6/10

Duane and his mutant brother are taken in by a secret home for wayward freaks in grotesque sequel missing most of the charm of the original.

Basket Case 3 (1991) 5/10

Similar to part two, this features another menagerie of freaks, with the characters of the original somewhat lost amid the gore. aka Basket Case 3: The Progeny

The Beast Within (1982) 7/10

Underrated 80s transformation horror with some interesting themes and particularly impressive practical FX, not to mention Les Baxter’s final score.

The Blob (1988) 7/10

80s remake that is meaner and nastier than the original, with great FX, Kevin Dillon sporting an impressive mullet, and a few moments harking back to its B movie origins.

Body Melt (1993) 6/10

Incoherent but wild Aussie horror filled with slimy moments but at its best when focussed on suburban satire. See also Ozploitation

Brain Damage (1988) 7/10

Reportedly inspired by Frank Henenlotter’s cocaine addiction, this is an entertaining body horror with practical FX and many disgusting moments, with a little nod to Basket Case on the subway.

Bride of Re-Animator (1990) 6/10

Basically, a rehash of the original, this is a fun and worthy sequel with great FX, though it suffers from pacing issues.

The Brood (1979) 10/10

Excellent early Cronenberg with great script, cast, horrific moments, and the director’s usual preoccupations with mental illness, bodily mutation, and sinister institutions. See also Canuxploitation

The Devil’s Rain (1975) 6/10

Entertaining nonsense with Ernest Borgnine hamming it up, William Shatner over emoting, and Anton LaVey as technical advisor; essential viewing for trash fans.  See also Satansploitation

The Fly (1986) 8/10

David Cronenberg hit the big time with this film which managed to be both a personal work and a commercial success – a touching, grotesque, and exhilarating experience.

Frankenhooker (1990) 6/10

Stupid, sleazy and hilarious horror with many goofy and grotesque moments that are not for the easily offended.

From Beyond (1986) 7/10

A very adult horror film from Stuart Gordon, based on H. P. Lovecraft, this mixes interesting ideas and satire amid the gore and slime.

The Incredible Melting Man (1977) 5/10

After an ill-fated space mission, an astronaut starts to melt – grotesque Rick Baker FX can’t lift it above bad movie status, but it remains likeable and watchable.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) 10/10

Highly effective remake with terrifying moments.

Possession (1981) 8/10

Isabelle Adjani and Sam Neill deliver Baroque performances in this dark horror ostensibly about a divorce which is not afraid to assault the senses and explore emotional extremes.

Rabid (1977) 7/10

Porn star Marilyn Chambers impresses in this sexually deviant David Cronenberg body horror that delivers the shocks but feels overlong for what it is. See also Canuxploitation

Re-Animator (1985) 8/10

Gory update of Frankenstein and Lovecraft for the 1980s; non-stop mayhem with many hilarious highlights.

The Rejuvenator (1988) 6/10

An aging actress takes a youth serum and transforms into a homicidal monster in this forgotten 80s body horror that plays like a cheap version of The Fly, but with more camp value. aka Rejuvenatrix

Scanners (1981) 7/10

Cronenberg classic about telepathy and the ills of modern society with famous splatter FX – rushed into production, it has a dark, brooding, stark atmosphere, but is not without its flaws. See also Canuxploitation

Scanners II: The New Order (1991) 6/10

Straight to video sequel not associated with David Cronenberg – regardless, this has decent performances, pleasing Montreal backdrops, good FX, and a better pace than the original.

Scanners III: The Takeover (1991) 4/10

A new set of obnoxious characters feature in this campy straight to video sequel – watchable but very silly by this point. aka Scanner Force

Shivers (1975) 8/10

David Cronenberg made an impressive feature debut with this daring and depraved commentary on consumer culture and modern living; despite the deliberate pace, it still packs a wallop. aka The Parasite Murders; They Came from Within See also Canuxploitation

Slime City (1988) 5/10

A goo-fest with heart – despite the low budget it manages to pull out all the stops by the end.

Society (1989) 7/10

Excellent satire with one of the most grotesque finales in horror history thanks to excellent FX by Screaming Mad George.

Street Trash (1987) 6/10

A liquor store owner sells toxic brew to homeless people in outlandish, unapologetic grindhouse delight epitomised by an exploding hobo.

The Stuff (1985) 7/10

Larry Cohen B movie about an addictive dessert that plays like a 50s throwback but examines some very 80s fads – good example of Cohen taking a goofy concept and imbuing it with gravitas.

The Substance (2024) 7/10

Jaw-dropping body horror with an impressively audacious performance by Demi Moore – an unsubtle satire of consumerist society and youth fetishisation, with appropriately deranged ending.

The Thing (1982) 10/10

Everything works in John Carpenter’s seminal horror masterpiece – the characters, paranoia, isolated locales, and of course the incredible FX that were too much for audiences at the time.

Videodrome (1983) 10/10

Cronenberg’s masterpiece explores technology, the media and the human body, and though a flop on first release, it’s a bona fide classic that is still mind-blowing, shocking, and ahead of its time. See also Canuxploitation