SOCIETY (1992)

Directed By: Brian Yunza 
Written By: Rick Fry & Woody Keith 
Cinematography By: Rick Fichter 
Editor: Peter Teschner 


Cast: Billy Warlock, Devin DeVasquez, Evan Richards, Ben Meyerson, Charles Lucia, Ben Slack, Tim Bartell, David Wiley, Heidi Kozak 


Bill is worried that he is 'different' to his sister and parents. They mix with other 'upper class' people while Bill is more down to earth. Even his girlfriend seems a bit odd. All is revealed when Bill returns home to find a party in full swing. Not for the weak of stomach.

Originally Filmed in 1989 and not released in the united states until 1992.

This film has built up quite the reputation over the years for me. So many guides and people recommending the film. That it was impossible to hold up to. While noteworthy, it is also a feature of it’s time. Even with the impressive special effects. Maybe I just expected more and also to be more impressed.

The film isn’t bad it just feels lackluster, but again keep in mind I came in with certain expectations from over the years. So that the film ends up more as a spectacle rather than anything with substance. As the film keeps going along it seems like the character and the film is trying to grab onto something more of a meaning rather then the obvious social one. As the film feels thin, though again it has enough to entice certain audience members to be amazed more by the special effects than anything.

The teenage characters look so adult other than wardrobe sometimes it’s difficult to tell them apart.

The film gives away that something sinister is afoot way too early. Letting us know that the conspiracy the main character suspects is true. It is a kind of Body horror film all it's own.

The film just slowly builds to it until it finally presents itself to what is meant to be a show stopping showcase. That throws you off only slightly as you begin to wonder what exactly is going on and what might be the point. Along the way it is meant to gross us out many times until the final act where it truly tries to go over the top. Which it achieves but by today’s standards aren’t necessarily as bad as it believes itself to be.

The film also allows for some thin social satire that still holds true. Which the title practically gives away. It doesn’t go as deep as to make itself seem smart or actually stay in that direction. A little bit more of explanation might have helped overall.

Though this is more a film for horror aficionados. The performances are all over the place and run from stiff to bad. Other than the lead. no one seems to be trying too hard. Trusting that the material and eventual reveal will ultimately pave the way for enjoyment of the movie and will be what people take away and that’s right, but the other weaknesses of the film are what bring it down. So it’s like presenting a great picture in a bad frame.

For all the nastiness such as rotting food, insects and grotesque body contortions (that remind one of the comic book character Mr. Fantastic from the fantastic four) not to mention incest. Seems more like a production meant to show off these traits and maybe gross out the audience for an endurance test and that the story was thought out as an after thought.

Though then again it might also be because their characters don’t have much to them.

Grade: C+