The Fly, we made another one...
Episode notes
We break down The Fly, explore its themes of transformation and identity, analyze Seth Brundle’s tragic arc, and discuss why the film still hits so hard today. From its shocking body horror to its emotional core, we dive into what makes this movie a true classic.
The Fly (1986) follows Seth Brundle (Jeff Goldblum), a brilliant but eccentric scientist working on a revolutionary teleportation device. When journalist Veronica Quaife (Geena Davis) discovers his work, she becomes both his partner in documenting the experiment and his romantic interest, as the two grow closer through his scientific breakthrough. After successfully teleporting inanimate objects—and eventually living beings—Seth decides to test the machine on himself. But when a fly accidentally enters the pod during the experiment, something goes horribly wrong. At first, Seth appears stronger, more energetic, almost superhuman… but it quickly becomes clear that his body is undergoing a terrifying and irreversible transformation. As Seth slowly mutates into something unrecognizable, Veronica is forced to witness the physical and psychological collapse of the man she loves. What starts as a story about scientific ambition turns into a deeply tragic descent into loss of identity, control, and humanity, all wrapped in David Cronenberg’s signature body horror style. Widely praised for its groundbreaking practical effects, emotional depth, and haunting performances, The Fly is often considered one of the greatest horror films ever made. Its mix of grotesque transformation, romance, and existential dread creates an experience that is as heartbreaking as it is horrifying.