Low-fi body horror is distilled to chilling effect in Cronenberg's
tale of psychics running amok. Peopled by his ubiquitous blank actors,
it creates an atmosphere of unsettling distance from the undeniably
outlandish action, which successfully balances shock and pathos to
create a seminal horror work. Heads explode, eyes burst and only
McGoohan in mad scientist mode and Ironside psychotically chewing
scenery manage to pierce Cronenberg's exemplary emotional gauze.
