Shivers

Name: Shivers
Genre: Sci-Fi, Horror
Released: July 6, 1976
Duration: 87 min
Rating: 58
Cast: Allan Kolman, Barbara Steele, Barry Baldaro, Camil Ducharme, Hanna Poznanska

1976

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Mixed or average reviews based on 9 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 11 Ratings

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6.2

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6.2	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 11 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Cinépix Film Properties (CFP) | Release Date: July 6, 1976 | R

Starring: Allan Kolman, Barbara Steele, Barry Baldaro, Camil Ducharme, Hanna Poznanska, Joe Silver, Lynn Lowry, Paul Hampton, Ronald Mlodzik, Susan Petrie

Summary: The residents of a suburban high-rise apartment building are being infected by a strain of parasites that turn them into mindless, sex-crazed fiends out to infect others by the slightest sexual contact.

Director: David Cronenberg

Genre(s): Sci-Fi, Horror

Rating: R

Runtime: 87 min

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Critic Reviews

Keith Phipps

Like the creatures in the films, and many of Cronenberg's other films themselves, Shivers is disturbing on an almost biological level. Read full review

Cleaver Patterson

It was Shivers that laid the groundwork creating the blend of sex, distorted psychologies and horror which became Cronenberg staples and his signature style in the years to come. Read full review

Mick LaSalle

A paranoid, prurient sexual nightmare. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

Misanthropic, indeed, but the black humour and general inventiveness place it high above most contemporary horror pictures. Read full review

Roger Ebert

It scares and shocks us because it's so cleverly made; the writer-director, David Cronenberg, uses invention and imagination to replace expensive shock effects. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

A silly but moderately effective chiller about creeping parasites that systematically (and comically) 'infect' an entire highrise population with nothing less than sexual hysteria. Read full review

Vincent Canby

It's apparent that someone connected with They Came From Within has an impertinent sense of humor even though the film is so tackily written and directed, so darkly photographed and the sound so dimly recorded, that it's difficult to stay with it. Read full review

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User Reviews

JLuis_001

Oct 30, 2019

I'm surprised to say this about Cronenberg but this film seemed quite simplistic to me.

Cronenberg was 32 years old when he did it and it's a bit understandable by the tone but therein lies my problem, the film tries to be disturbing and shocking for free and doesn't build anythingI'm surprised to say this about Cronenberg but this film seemed quite simplistic to me.

Cronenberg was 32 years old when he did it and it's a bit understandable by the tone but therein lies my problem, the film tries to be disturbing and shocking for free and doesn't build anything substantial to support itself.

It was quite disappointing.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

HellHoleHorror

Feb 16, 2022

I am not entirely sure what I was expecting from this film but whatever it was this film didn’t even come close. My biggest problem was that considering this was a horror film there was a distinct lack of fear. There was plenty of nudity and some rather minging scenes involving a littleI am not entirely sure what I was expecting from this film but whatever it was this film didn’t even come close. My biggest problem was that considering this was a horror film there was a distinct lack of fear. There was plenty of nudity and some rather minging scenes involving a little parasite that looked like a penis. You could see the shock sequences coming a mile off but there was no tension building up so they weren’t as shocking as they should be. The idea was good for the story but I think that it was poorly executed. Thankfully it is a short film. The pace is really pedestrian in places from the lack of character development. So much so that you just want the guys to all get got by the parasite. Overall what you would expect from David Cronenberg’s first major film – unpolished and full of bizarre scenes that are meant to shock the audience’s morals.… Expand

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