Brain Damage (1988) on Netflix
Brian, a young man in New York City, becomes host to a worm-like parasite known as Aylmer. The parasite offers him a fluid that brings euphoric hallucinations if he takes it out.
- Netflix3.0/5
- IMDb6.5/1014,968 votes
- Rotten Tomatoes69%
Trailer
Plot summary
Brian comes out of a brief illness into a powerful, comforting hallucination. A worm-like parasite has taken up residence in him: it talks, and it promises a life without worry. The vision came from a fluid it shoots through the back of his neck straight into his brain, and it keeps that fluid coming as long as Brian takes it out. While the juice holds him, Brian is lost to everything around him, and the parasite feeds on human brains. His craving grows, he pulls away from his girlfriend Barbara and his brother Mike, and both of them worry about him.
Cast
- Lucille Saint-Peteras Martha
- Joseph Gonzalezas Guy in shower
- Bradlee Rhodesas Night watchman
- Michael Bishopas Toilet victim
Did you know?!Facts and trivia about Brain Damage (1988)
Can contain spoilers, watch the movie first.
- Television horror host John Zacherle voiced the parasite Aylmer but went uncredited on screen because he belonged to the Screen Actors Guild and the low-budget production was non-union, so crediting him could have gotten him fined or expelled from the union.
- Brain Damage was reportedly inspired by something much closer to home than the horror movies around it: the writer and director Frank Henenlotter's own cocaine addiction.
- Lead actor Rick Hearst had a scar added to his lower lip during filming at Henenlotter's request; Hearst called it the funniest choice Frank made for him, saying the director felt he needed it as part of the character or he would look too pretty.
- The crew got the exteriors of the Sunshine Hotel at 245 Bowery in under an hour, because the hotel's management told them they could shoot there for one hour for $200, with each additional hour costing another $200.
