Watch The Fly

The Fly is a 1986 horror-sci-fi classic directed by David Cronenberg and starring Jeff Goldblum, Geena Davis, and John Getz. The film follows a scientist named Seth Brundle (Goldblum), who develops a revolutionary transporter device that can transport objects from one place to another in a matter of seconds. However, when he uses the device on himself, a housefly inadvertently gets trapped inside the transporter with him, leading to a horrific transformation that tests the limits of science and morality.

At the beginning of the film, we meet Seth, a quirky but genius scientist who has been working on his transporter device for years. When he meets Veronica (Davis), a science journalist who takes an interest in his work, he finally feels like his invention is getting the attention it deserves. Veronica agrees to document Seth's progress, and the two of them quickly become romantically involved.

However, things take a dark turn after a drunken Seth decides to use his transporter on himself without properly testing it first. Unbeknownst to him, a housefly buzzes inside the teleporter and becomes fused with Seth's DNA. At first, Seth feels empowered by his newfound strength and agility, but he soon begins to exhibit symptoms of the fly's genetics, such as increased body hair, bulging eyes, and an insatiable hunger for sugar.

As Seth's transformation becomes more severe and grotesque, Veronica tries to find a way to reverse the process and save him from becoming a monster. Meanwhile, Seth's former colleague and competitor, Stathis Borans (Getz), tries to exploit the situation for his own gain, leading to a tense and deadly confrontation.

One of the most impressive aspects of The Fly is its special effects, which were groundbreaking at the time and still hold up today. The film features a combination of practical effects and animatronics, as well as some impressive makeup work on Goldblum as his body deteriorates. The filmmakers also managed to make the fly itself a sympathetic character, using close-ups and POV shots to convey its perspective and adding a tragic element to the story.

However, what really makes The Fly stand out is its exploration of themes such as identity, mortality, and the limits of science. Seth's transformation is not just a physical one but also a psychological and emotional one as he grapples with his new instincts and the loss of his old self. Veronica and Stathis, meanwhile, represent opposing viewpoints on science and ethics, with Veronica seeking to use science for the greater good while Stathis is concerned only with profit and prestige.

The film also features strong performances from its leads, with Goldblum in particular delivering a complex and nuanced portrayal of a man caught between two worlds. Davis is equally impressive as the supportive but ultimately powerless girlfriend, while Getz brings a layer of snarky cynicism to his role as the conniving Stathis.

Overall, The Fly is a masterful blend of horror, sci-fi, and tragedy, with a thought-provoking narrative and awe-inspiring effects. It's not for the faint of heart, with some genuinely gruesome moments, but it's a must-watch for fans of the genre and a testament to the power of practical filmmaking.

The Fly is a 1986 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6 and a MetaScore of 79.