The Brood
Difilm | Release Date: May 25, 1979 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
63
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 9 Critic Reviews
Positive:
7
Mixed:
1
Negative:
1
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
83
IndieWireJed Mayer
Cronenberg has become known as a purveyor of body horror, in which the monstrous arises from within rather than without. The Brood cunningly turns this motif into a metaphor for psychotherapy itself, which seeks to dredge up and cast out the monsters haunting the unconscious. Read full review
80
The New YorkerMichael Sragow
Cronenberg’s movie was an early showcase for his tense formal style and intellectual Grand Guignol. He displays a true shock-meister’s instinct by saving the worst for last. The result is a cinematic bad dream that generates recurring nightmares. Read full review
80
EmpireKim Newman
Genuinely disturbing horror but with Cronenberg producing a slightly deeper edge in his portrait of a troubled family. Read full review
80
CineVueDaniel Green
The Brood sees the undisputed king of body horror honing his visceral eye, whilst at the same time offering up several truly iconic images that have quite clearly endured. Read full review
75
Slant MagazineEric Henderson
Undoubtedly [Cronenberg's] best from this period and also the most troubling. Read full review
75
TV Guide MagazineStaff (Not Credited)
Powerful and disturbing on both a physical and mental level, The Brood is the first Cronenberg film to use name actors, and marked a significant progression in the director's exploration of biological horror. Read full review
70
VarietyStaff (Not Credited)
A horror entry which casts children in the role of malevolent little monsters, The Brood is an extremely well made, if essentially unpleasant, shocker. Read full review
60
Time OutStaff (Not Credited)
It's a strong theme, unfortunately undercut by faulty pacing and odd lapses in the tension. Still worth seeing for its latently political story and its gory special effects. Read full review
25
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
The Brood is an el sleazo exploitation film, camouflaged by the presence of several well-known stars but guaranteed to nauseate you all the same. Read full review
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