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Basket Case

Play trailer Poster for Basket Case R 1982 1h 31m Horror Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
78% Tomatometer 27 Reviews 55% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
Duane (Kevin Van Hentenryck) checks into a sleazy hotel with a wicker basket containing his telepathic Siamese twin.
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Basket Case

Basket Case

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Critics Consensus

While Basket Case definitely delivers all the gonzo gore promised by its cracked premise, it's really set apart by its rich vein of genuine pathos.

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Critics Reviews

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Nick Schager Lessons of Darkness Jan 18, 2007
B
A thing of modest B-movie beauty. Go to Full Review Chance Solem-Pfeifer Willamette Week Nov 19, 2025
Like most other Henenlotter movies, Basket Case is beloved by horror heads in the know for its scrappy execution, darkly comedic exploitation, and gonzo manifestation of otherwise thought-provoking themes. Go to Full Review Sharai Bohannon A Nightmare On Fierce Street Podcast Dec 30, 2024
3.5/5
This is possibly Frank Henenlotter at his best. It's easy to see why 'Basket Case' is an important piece of horror cinema history. Bilal crawled so that Gabriel could run backward! Go to Full Review Megan Seling The Stranger (Seattle, WA) Oct 22, 2024
I’m pretty sure that makes it the ultimate high-brow/low-brow horror movie. Go to Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand Oct 29, 2022
[Henenlotter's] tribute to the grindhouse horror films he loves, a low-budget monster movie with creative twists and DIY special effects created with a mix of puppets, models, and stop-motion animation. Go to Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Aug 31, 2020
7/10
One of the pioneers of exploitation horror, complete with nudity, gore, hilariously absurd dialogue, and silly creature effects. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Charles Q @CharlesMQR Jul 22, 2026 Basket Case es una joya del cine grindhouse: caótica, extravagante y completamente inolvidable. Con un presupuesto mínimo, logra construir una atmósfera sucia y decadente del Nueva York de los años ochenta que resulta tan auténtica como fascinante. Sus efectos especiales artesanales, lejos de ser un defecto, son parte de su encanto. Entre el terror, el humor negro y lo absolutamente absurdo, la película nunca intenta ser otra cosa que una experiencia delirante y única. Es uno de esos clásicos de culto que siguen conquistando espectadores precisamente porque se atreven a ser diferentes. Sin duda, una película que merece cuatro estrellas. See more Maksim S @MaksimusMovies Jan 19, 2026 "Basket Case" is grindhouse madness at its finest—cheap, grimy, and completely unforgettable. Its bizarre creature effects and scuzzy New York atmosphere give it a charm no budget could buy. Equal parts freakshow and comedy, it’s the kind of cult horror that survives on sheer weirdness. A proudly twisted 4-star classic. See more Scott M @RT75128960 Dec 28, 2025 Well made horror film that I put off seeing for years. I wouldn't say I was frightened by it. But it was entertaining. Well directed and written. But the acting could've been better. Very well done for a low budget film. See more Julian S. @akajulianscott Aug 27, 2025 A splatter-soaked cult gem and a perfect time capsule of sleazy New York. See more Craig W. @CJWolfe27 Jul 20, 2025 B movie very, not a bad watch See more Rich C @Cordu0702 May 26, 2025 Nice film! Definitely worth the watch! See more Read all reviews
Basket Case

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Cast & Crew

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Frank Henenlotter

Director

Kevin Van Hentenryck

Duane Bradley

Terri Susan Smith

Sharon

Beverly Bonner

Casey

Robert Vogel

Hotel Manager

Diana Browne

Dr. Judith Kutter

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Basket Case

Basket Case (1982) Basket Case (1982) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Duane (Kevin Van Hentenryck) checks into a sleazy hotel with a wicker basket containing his telepathic Siamese twin.
Director
Frank Henenlotter
Producer
Edgar Ievins
Screenwriter
Frank Henenlotter
Production Co
Basket Case Productions
Rating
R
Genre
Horror, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 2, 1982, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 15, 2016
Runtime
1h 31m
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