The Fly (1986), Cronenberg's Body Horror

Midnight Local

Meredith and Greg delve into the 1986 film 'The Fly' directed by David Cronenberg, exploring its themes of body horror, transformation, and the complexities of relationships. They discuss the film's opening, character dynamics, and the implications of the protagonist's transformation into a fly. The conversation also touches on the metaphorical aspects of aging and disease, the nature of the monster, and the performance of Jeff Goldblum. The hosts critique the film's world-building and reflect on the impact of body horror as a genre. The conversation turns to the differences between empathy and sympathy. They discuss the relatability of body horror and how anxiety manifests in horror films. They close on the misrepresentation of gaslighting, the impact of male creators in storytelling, and the evolution of Jeff Goldblum's persona in film.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to The Fly and Its Themes

03:00 Exploring Body Horror and Character Dynamics

06:12 The Transformation and Its Consequences

09:04 The Role of Relationships and Jealousy

11:56 The Climax and the Nature of the Monster

14:56 Metaphors of Aging and Disease

18:11 The Ending and Its Implications

20:53 Reflections on Performance and Humor

24:03 Critique of World-Building in The Fly

26:51 Body Horror as a Genre and Its Impact

34:04 Exploring Body Horror and Relatability

36:51 Empathy vs. Sympathy

39:39 Anxiety in Horror and the Cringe Factor

42:45 Gaslighting: Misunderstandings and Definitions

46:44 The Complexity of Male Creators and Their Impact

52:53 The Evolution of Jeff Goldblum's Persona

01:00:45 Reflections on Fame and Identity

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