Review of Basket Case (1982) by Stuart K — 29 Mar 2014

Written and directed by Frank Henenlotter, (Brain Damage (1988) and Frankenhooker (1990)), this schlocky monster comedy-horror was made for a meagre $33,000. But Henenlotter manages to do so much with so little, and whether the comedy is intentional or not doesn't seem to matter, it's a fun film to watch, even if it is unbelievably gory in places with shocking body horror.

Duane Bradley (Kevin Van Hentenryck) was born with a Siamese twin on his side, Belial, who is hideously deformed and only the size of a football. Belial was removed and left for dead, but Duane's kindly aunt (Ruth Neuman) took care of them both.

But they're both grown up, and Duane carries Belial around in a wicker basket, and they've checked into a sleazy hotel in New York, which has some very nosey neighbours. It turns out Duane and Belial have vengeance in mind, against the doctors who separated them all those years ago.

But, when Duane falls for Sharon (Terri Susan Smith), it sours his relationship with brother Belial, who goes solo. It's a very silly film at heart, but there are parts that are difficult to watch, but it manages to be great fun in the end, and it has a touch of An American Werewolf in London (1981) about it's tone and structure.

Henelotter made a few sequels, but they didn't have the charm or the no-budget shocks of the original.