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The Fly
Metascore
79 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 11
  3. Negative: 1 out of 11
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  1. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Staff (Not Credited)
    100
    As a remake, The Fly transcends the original, taking it in new directions and exploring its underutilized potential.
  2. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Dave Kehr
    100
    David Cronenberg's The Fly is that absolute rarity of the '80s: a film that is at once a pure, personal expression and a superbly successful commercial enterprise. [15 Aug 1986]
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  3. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Michael Blowen
    100
    The Fly is that rare species of movie - a remake that far surpasses the original and, quite frankly, all expectations. [15 Aug 1986]
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  4. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Patrick Goldstein
    100
    What makes The Fly such a stunning piece of obsessive film making is the way Cronenberg deftly allows us to identify with his monstrous creation. [14 Aug 1986]
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  5. Time
    Reviewed by: Richard Corliss
    90
    A gross-your-eyes-out horror movie that is also the year's most poignant romance.
  6. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: Julie Salamon
    90
    This is a first-rate squealer. [07 Aug 1986]
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  7. The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
    Reviewed by: Jay Scott
    88
    The Fly is a mass-market, horror- film masterpiece that is also a work of art; it is the very movie the timorous feared "Aliens" would be - a gruesome, disturbing, fundamentally uncompromising shocker that accesses the subconscious. [15 Aug 1986]
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  8. Variety
    Reviewed by: Staff (Not Credited)
    70
    David Cronenberg's remake of the 1958 horror classic The Fly is not for the squeamish. Casting Jeff Goldblum was a good choice as he brings a quirky, common touch to the spacey scientist role.
  9. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Caryn James
    60
    A film that tries to be too many things at once - funny but not campy, sad and scary, a horror story and a human tragedy
  10. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Pat Graham
    60
    It's an interesting experiment Cronenberg's attempted, if ultimately in the wrong direction.
  11. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Mick LaSalle
    25
    This picture is disgusting. [15 Aug 1986]
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User Reviews

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User Score
8.3 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 20 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. makemenuconfig
    10
    The atmosphere, the characters, the story, the music, the performances, the special effects. They all combine neatly into this perfect mixture of character story horror drama. Trully a masterpiece.… Full Review »
  2. lgnburris
    8
    Can't believe I hadn't seen this before now. I understand why it is considered a classic, great acting, great story, great direction and a very gruesome monster.… Full Review »
  3. TheNewSpielberg
    10
    One of my all time favorites from the 1980s horror cycle. A scientist's genes are mixed with that of a common house fly and soon he begins to transform into a giant half man, half fly creature. In the meantime he is helped through his deeply horrifying problem by his loving girlfriend. I love the effects, which still look realistic here in 2011 and the music is amazing and sounds more like an operatic piece than a horror soundtrack. All in all, I LOVE THIS FILM!… Full Review »
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