Videodrome
Metascore
60 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 6 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 6
  3. Negative: 1 out of 6
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  1. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Staff (Not credited)
    88
    A fascinating rumination on humanity, technology, entertainment, sex, and politics that is virtually incomprehensible on first viewing and needs to be seen several times before one can even begin to unlock its mysteries. (Review of Original Release)

User Reviews

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User Score
8.2 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 17 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. VerbalCant
    6
    Some food for thought, but not as much as I had hoped. Continually strives to take the plot where you're not expecting, which is meritorious, but unfulfilling. Falls short of greatness, and has dated badly. The future turned out to be a whole lot worse than even David C could imagine.… Full Review »
  2. monkeybrainspit
    9
    If you fiend for a perfect balance of Fantasy and Sci-Fi, Videodrome delivers.

    "Civic TV. The one you take to bed with you." are the first wo    rds blaring out of the television in Max Renn's apartment - seeming to take the quote almost literally. Max runs a TV channel during the day and seems like he doesn't get much of a break from his duties at home.

    Max Renn, played by the legendary James Woods, is always on the lookout for new cheap erotic thrills to broadcast on his channel and finds what he is looking for when he is called by an employee to view a transmission for a show called "Videodrome".

    Obsessed with trying to get the series on his channel, Max inadvertently reels in his girlfriend Nikki Brand (Deborah Harry) to it's bizarre sado-masochistic wonders and is caught between his want to know more and his fear in its meaning.

    Direction: 8/10 (David Cronenberg keeps pace with our emotions and intrigue as he draws us in)
    Cinematography: 10/10 (Mark Irwin keeps Videodrome seeping out of our TVs for the duration)
    Editing: 8/10 (Roland Sanders delivers once again, as he did with the Fly, intensifying every shot)
    Acting: 8/10 (James Woods gets help from great performances by Peter Dvorsky and Sonja Smits)
    Dialogue: 9/10 (Most of the time Cronenberg's script just wants to get straight to the point)
    Sound: 9/10 (Michael Jay does a great mix-down of all the elements and keeps them in-tact)
    Effects: 10/10 (Rick Baker, involved in "American Werewolf...",makes part of a uniquely creative team)
    Art Direction: 10/10 (Carol Spier authenticates Videodrome's creepiness with matching sets) Costumes: 10/10 (Delphine White makes it all work with simple 80s fashion and a touch of bad)
    Music and/or Score: 10/10 (I'm looking for more of Howard Shore's work after hearing the main theme)

    Total Score: 92/100

    The cast was well chosen and, surprisingly, suits James Woods perfectly.
    It really is an enjoyable experience and doesn't bore you with too much dialogue or cheap scares.
    So prepare to get your Fantasy/Sci-Fi fix and let Videodrome into your mind's eye. Long live the flesh!    … Full Review »
  3. AdamA.
    10
    One of the coolest movies ever. Classic Cronenberg. Creepy and original. I compare it to Halloween...this movie keeps your eyes wide open the whole way through.… Full Review »
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