My Top 5 Favorite Body Horror Films

If the term’ body horror’ sounds gross, just wait until you watch the contributions that make up this infamous sub-genre. Body horror, or, biological horror is defined by its typically graphic violations of the human body. This is usually manifested through mutations, zombifications, disease, transformations, and other occurrences in which the human body is rend asunder. Many consider the 1980’s to be the American golden-age of horror— it’s the over-the-top indulgent approach of the filmmakers and the explorations of makeup and effects. Oddly enough, many of the legendary horror classic we know today were produced with a relatively low budget. The Evil Dead, Basket Case, and other cult classic were effectively a small step up from being a home video. While many of these movies were not met with critical acclaim upon their release, they remain canonized. Why? Because they work, and because the exploration of makeup and effects under a small budget would actually change the industry as a whole and set the benchmark for horror movies to come. For your consideration, In 1982, the new category ‘Best Makeup’ was introduced to the Academy Awards. It was won by An American Werewolf in London, hinging solely on its transition sequence from man to beast. The subgenre of body horror makes up for some of horror’s most infamous, iconic contributions. Without further ado, here are my picks. 

1. The Fly (1986) Dir. David Cronenberg

Cronenberg’s The Fly encompasses and defines body horror. The premise of a scientist’s mistake turns him into a mutant fly is scary in a Kafka-esque sense. But, it’s the visual display of bubbling flesh, jutting barbs of antennae, and a foul oozing maw that make the audience gasp with fright. Frankly, plot aside, it’s Jeff Goldblum’s onscreen mutation that makes this a horror movie. Genre defining, iconic, and utterly gross - The Fly is a horror movie staple. 

2. Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1992) Dir. Shinya Tsukamoto

Tetsuo: The Iron Man definitely finds a place amongst my favorite films of all time. Tsukamoto’s exercise in the surreal and obscene is aesthetically sound, exceedingly playful, and truly stomach-churning. “Suppose David Lynch and Cronenberg in their early 70’s avant-garde days collaborated on early drafts of Terminator 2 and decided to shoot it in Japan…” reads a line from the film’s early promotional poster, and, I can’t think of a more apt description. Tetsuo: The Iron Man is a wildly imaginative, sensory overload and its often sensual union of man and metal is an unforgettable horrific experience. 

3. The Thing (1982) Dir. John Carpenter 

John Carpenter’s Horror essential, The Thing, has yet to be contended in cinema for its level of effects and imagination. The alien life form found in Antarctica grotesquely mutates between bizarre incarnations from DNA of all the planets it has visited before. The famous scene where Copper attempts to defibrillate Norris and his head is stretched off only to grow spindly legs and scatter about -- movie magic. There are countless iconic scenes in the film, and they all demonstrate Carpenter’s cheeky sensibilities that delight and freak us out. 

4. Street Trash (1987) Dir. J. Michael Muro

Muro’s black comedy, cult classic, the horror hit Street Trash is hilarious and honestly repulsive. While more well-renowned films like The Fly or The Thing are considered flagships of the body horror sub-genre, Street Trash served up the most explicit and definitive contribution. The premise of the homeless imbibing on tainted hooch causes them to melt into colorful ooze speaks to the films earnest to having fun while getting gross. 

5. From Beyond (1986) Dir. Stuart Gordon

Stuart’s adaptation of Lovecraft’s short story of the same name is exceptionally campy and a great deal of fun. Blood and gore is only the amuse-bouche to the film’s main entree of freaking mutations and manipulated flesh. Don’t be fooled by the film’s low budget appearance. Some truly grisly sequences guarantee a gross-out. The film makes an attractive companion to Clive Barker’s Hellraiser in its hedonistic themes and gore-ific dance between the sensual and the sickening.