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Brain Damage (1988)

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Basket Case director Frank Henenlotter explores another bizarre symbiotic human-monster relationship in this surreal horror comedy about a young man named Brian (Rick Herbst) who emerges from a night of bizarre hallucinations to find a jovial talking slug attached to his body. The creature, a brain-eating parasite called an "Aylmer" (but who prefers the simpler handle "Elmer") came calling after abandoning his former companions -- a European couple who tried to wean him from human brains by

R, 1 hr. 29 min.

Horror, Comedy

Frank Henenlotter

Jul 22, 2003

Paramount Home Video

Cast

All Critics (13) | Top Critics (1) | Fresh (8) | Rotten (3) | DVD (8)

So NYC deranged.

October 1, 2011 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | Comment
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

A horribly funny addiction allegory, equally likely to make you feel sympathy and sorrow, or burp up a tiny bit of sick.

September 20, 2010 Full Review Source: SFX Magazine | Comment
SFX Magazine

funny 80s drug flick

February 28, 2008 Comment

thanks to Second Sight for allowing us to be offended - and bemused - all over again.

October 23, 2007 Full Review Source: Film4 | Comment

As high on concept as it is low on budget, Henenlotter's 1980s urban horror is cheap, sleazy and irresistibly addictive. It's the best kind of bad trip.

October 23, 2007 Full Review Source: Film4 | Comment

A weird, oddball 80s horror film for anyone who liked and enjoyed the horror and humor of Basket case

March 4, 2005 Full Review Source: Slasherpool | Comment

Entertaining enough.

December 30, 2004 Comment
Juicy Cerebellum

So weird and bad -- in an 80s way -- that it generates some interest.

June 5, 2004 Comment

Pretty amusing and twisted little horror flick.

August 24, 2003 Comment
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Stick with "Basket Case."

July 25, 2002 Comment
eFilmCritic.com
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Brain Damage

Truly psychedelic and bizarrely compelling, Frank Henenlotter's talent is transforming high-concept, speculative horror into social commentary much like Romero. This is his anti-drug cautionary tale but it is never heavy-handed. The scenes of Brian's sensory overload are so vivid that we understand why he will accept

October 6, 2011
Cory Taylor

Super Reviewer

Brain Damage is one awesome Horror Comedy. It's a very original film by the director of Basket Case. Brain Dame is a metaphor for drug addiction, and Frank Henenlotter story is rich with the 80's drug culture, as he presents the drug ravaged streets of New York in the 80's. The film is a very creative work of Horror

June 8, 2010
TheDudeLebowski65
Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski

Super Reviewer

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Foreign Titles

  • Brain Damage (1988) (DE)
  • Brain Damage (1988) (UK)
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