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
view
per page
  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]
    All this critic's reviews
  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]
    All this publication's reviews
  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]
    All this publication's reviews
  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]
    All this critic's reviews
  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]
    All this critic's reviews
  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]
    All this critic's reviews

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.3 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 36 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Skullgirlsfan13
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. it's been awhile since I seen this film, I remember having real fond memories of it, and now I decided to watch it again after these years. I just saw it again and I still have good thoughts about it. I remember before I ever watched this move that I was scared to even watch this, but after years then of conquering my fear of this film I watched then. This is getting confusing. I think this is one of the most classic sci-fi films out there; note how I didn't say that it was the best though, and I just love this movie. The main reason why I love this movie is just how gross this movie is, usually that's a negative comment, but here's the exception. The performances in this are okay, Jeff is his usual Jeff self: always studering and making every scene as dramatic as possible. I can't even remember the other characters actually, only what they did. The effects are done well, and are even pretty good by today's standards. I like practical effects, even though at times you can clearly tell there fake, but that doesn't matter it shows just how hard people can work on these type of effects. I feel that the romantic storyline is somewhat odd in this grotesque piece of cinema, but at the end it just feels so right, and makes the fact that a man trying to become a advanced life form sympathetic. Maybe that was exaggerated a bit there. Overall, I really believe that this film is worth watching, just stomach through it and you won't forget it, literally.… Full Review »
  2. aaronpaul121
    8
    Though it is not one of the best horror films, it is definitely one of the classics..........................
  3. 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 »
See all user reviews »