Society
Director: Brian Yuzna
Cast: Billy Warlock, Devin DeVasquez, Evan Richards
Arrow Video
June 9, 2015
Reviewed by Brian M. Sammons
Thank God for Arrow Video USA. I used to love me some Blu-rays from Arrow Video in the UK back in the days when all of their releases were region free. Then they started region locking their stuff, and sadly they were dead to me. Well they have recently started up a North American branch and while their initial offerings were hit or miss, this late 80s gore classic is a welcome addition to any horror fan’s library. If you’ve already seen this cultiest of cult classics, then you know that. If you have yet to see it, don’t feel bad, lots of people haven’t yet, and keep reading to see if it sounds like something you do want to see.
A young man named Bill is worried that he’s different than his sister, parents, and all their upper class friends. And he is, but how different, that is the question. Bill starts to look into things and discovers a few nasty secrets such as fatal accidents that may not be accidental, and even ickier things such as incest and more. Things are pretty tame for the majority of this movie with just hints of the weirdness to come. And then the climax hits you in the face like a load of bricks, and wow, just…wow. This movie is all about the final scene and boy, does it deliver.
The biggest draw to this very weird flick are the amazing, goopy, gory effects by 80s FX superstar Screaming Mad George. They really have to be seen to be believed, and the final over the top orgy of insanity is mind-blowing. If you only ever watch this movie for that reason alone you won’t be disappointed. But lest you think that’s all this film has going for it, it’s not. There is also some scathing social commentary here, that while originally aimed at 80s era Ronald Regan’s America, is sadly still relevant today, if not more so. So it’s got gore, comedy, strangeness, and incredible practical special effects. What’s not to love? Well how about the special features of this new release? I’m glad you asked, let’s get to them.
The new Blu-ray/DVD double pack from Arrow Video comes loaded with some great extras. First off, there is a 21 page collector’s booklet and two-sided cover art. As for on-disc goodies, there is a new audio commentary with director Brian Yuzna, a new interview with him about the movie, a Q&A session, and a special feature with Yuzna about the 1989 premiere. There is a collection of interviews with actors Billy Warlock, Devin DeVasquez, Ben Meyerson and Tim Bartell. There is a featurette all about the amazing special effects in the film with interviews with David Grasso, Nick Benson, and Screaming Mad George. And speaking of Mr. Screaming Mad, there is also a music video of his included here just because. Last, but not least, there is the ever-present trailer.
Society isn’t for everyone, but for fans of the weird, bizarre, and over the top, this is for you. It falls into the category of “they don’t make them like that no more,” not that they ever really made them like this to begin with. So if you are looking for a pitch black comedy with tons of special effects, Society is that movie. I love it and highly recommend it.
